Is 23andMe’s DNA Trustworthy Without Significant Safeguards? | Data Protection

Posted on February 17, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

WIs hats next for 23andMe? Most people know this biotech company as a genetic testing service. The story of a woman who sends a cheek swab through the mail and discovers that the parents who raised her were not her biological parents has become something of a millennial horror genre. Of course, most 23andMe experiences aren’t that dramatic. The company says more than 14 million people have used the service to learn more about their ancestry.

But this month, 23andMe revealed it was facing major financial troubles, and more information emerged about the company’s devastating security breach last year. Now, customers may be wondering, “Can I trust his DNA on 23andMe?”

DNA “bait and switch”

Last week, 23andMe reported dismal third-quarter results, and the company’s stock price slumped.
CNBC reported. The company’s financial difficulties come down to longevity issues. The company’s most famous service, DNA ancestry testing, is a one-time transaction. After being tested, there is no reason for consumers to continue paying for his 23andMe, and it has reached a kind of plateau.

Nevertheless, the company’s CEO, Ann Wojcicki, said:
wired She remains “optimistic” about 23andMe’s future.

At-home DNA testing is so popular that you can even order one for your dog. 23andMe was the first company to offer this (human) service in 2007, and it now serves an estimated one in five American girlfriends.
I’ve tried Genetic testing that can be done at home. Some customers handed over personal data that Wojcicki and others used for purposes other than family reunions.

From 2018 to 2023, 23andMe partnered with pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline to use customers’ genetic information to help develop drug targets. (Drug targets are molecules involved in a disease. Researchers use them to develop treatments for specific diseases.) This year, the partnership became non-exclusive. This means 23andMe can sign deals with more drug companies and squeeze more money out of them. From the treasure trove of DNA.

“This is a real resource that different organizations can apply to their own drug discovery,” Wojcicki said, adding that 23andMe is interested in researching inflammatory immunology, particularly asthma.

23andMe already has two cancer drugs in clinical trials. These drugs are created from the user’s genetic data. But 23andMe users may not realize that the spit they gave the company months or years ago is being used to make more money.

As Health Reporter Kristen V. Brown
I have written For Bloomberg in 2021: “It’s strange that the 8.8 million 23andMe customers who once said, sure, use my data for whatever they want and didn’t check the box, now feel like they’ve been baited. Now they’re making the switch because their genes lay the foundation for potential cancer treatments. ” (Since 2021, the number of customers who have checked that box has grown to 10 million, according to Wired.)

Americans tend to believe that their health data is protected by Hipaa, the medical privacy law, and 23andMe, with its official-looking cheek swabs and far-flung labs, sure is too. However, 23andMe is not a healthcare provider.same rules
do not apply.

“There are no significant safeguards or regulations around the collection and sale of truly sensitive personal data,” said Suzanne Bernstein, a legal researcher at the Electronic Privacy Information Center. “A nefarious presence for 23andMe.” [data] A breach constitutes a security issue, but so does a company sharing your information with a third party you don’t know. Customers can technically consent to data sharing by agreeing to terms and conditions, but they are very long and many people don’t read them. ”

Ann Wojcicki, CEO of the company, 2015. Photo: Brad Barket/Getty Images for Fast Company

Some people may feel honored to have their genes used in cancer research. Some people may feel cheated because they paid about $229 for a DNA test kit and 23andMe is using their health data for free. Torin Klosowski, a security and privacy activist at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, said 23andMe could do more to help customers better understand the move before opting in.

“The fact that so many people are surprised by the amount of data being leaked elsewhere is a sign that 23andMe is not explaining things very clearly,” he said.

Klosowski added that users can opt out of 23andMe’s use of their data long after they have shipped their DNA swab, but that information may already have been used for research purposes. “You can ask 23andMe to stop using your information, but you cannot ask 23andMe to remove your sold data from its lists,” he said.

On the other hand, 23andMe
maintain Users are asked to select a survey at the time of purchase and all personal data is de-identified before being shipped for analysis. Your data will not be used without this consent, which you can withdraw. The company’s research department is also overseen by an “independent and impartial” review board. (23andMe did not respond to a request for comment.)

Data breaches lead to class action lawsuits

The 23andMe security breach is still on the minds of many customers. Approximately 7 million customer profiles were hacked last year. Over a five-month period, hackers compromised the personal information of up to 5.5 million people who opted in to one of 23andMe’s best-known features, including their career status reports. I was able to access my health records. Find relatives.

Customers of Chinese and Ashkenazi Jewish descent appear to have been targeted in the breach, and their information was sold on the dark web, the New York Times reported.
report. Some of these users recently filed a class action lawsuit against 23andMe, alleging the company failed to notify them of the exposure.

As The Guardian reported on Thursday, 23andMe in a letter to customers downplayed its responsibility for the hack and made claims about the health information that was accessed. “It cannot be used for the purpose of causing harm. The company also criticized customers for “carelessly recycling their passwords and not updating them,” a response one former customer called “morally and politically foolish.”

Wojcicki did not directly discuss the breach due to pending litigation, but told Wired that 23andMe introduced two-factor authentication and forced customers to reset their passwords. “Data privacy and security has always been a very high priority and continues to be a high priority for the company, and we intend to further invest in it,” she said.

Will 23andMe’s security problems spell the end for a company once hailed as a “corporate” by Time?
inventions of the year? Regardless of whether customer privacy concerns are well-founded, the company’s financial position is rapidly deteriorating, and CNN
report If the stock price does not rise, the company could be delisted from the Nasdaq.

Dominic Sellitto, a clinical assistant professor at the University at Buffalo who specializes in digital privacy, believes that if 23andMe survives this year, it will be thanks to data mining. “There is a lot of demand and funding for data, especially high-quality health data,” he said. “If 23andMe continues to monetize, it will be the golden ticket in 2024.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Do love languages truly exist? – BBC Science Focus Magazine

Posted on February 17, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

You’ve probably seen the five love languages before, whether it’s on an online dating profile, a glossy magazine, or a viral TikTok video.

The theory behind it, created by American couples counselor Gary Chapman, claims that there are five “languages” that romantic partners use to communicate their love. It’s words of affirmation, quality time, gifts, acts of service, and physical touch. According to Chapman, problems in relationships can be caused by not communicating in the same “love language.”

But is there any science behind this theory? Do couples need to have compatible love languages to be happy?

“There’s no psychological evidence to suggest they actually exist,” he says Dr. Martin Graf, an academic psychologist who studies the psychology of romantic relationships. “If you look at it, [the theory] Intuitively it seems very plausible, and there are one or two studies that might support this whole concept a little bit, but there isn’t much scientific support for this idea. “

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Although there is no evidence to fully support Chapman’s five languages, various theories of relationship behavior suggest that the following may be the case. three, Six or Seven One of them. It is also unlikely that there is only one preference. Sometimes they want physical touch, but in other situations they want to spend quality time with their partner.

Moreover, we are not always good at knowing which language we want. In one 2013 study, participants selected the love language they felt most applicable to themselves and answered a series of questions designed to elicit their language preferences. of language. However, the relationship between People said what their preferred language was, but the answer didn’t matter: For example, someone might say that their love language is “physical touch,” but say they feel more loved when their partner gives them a gift.

This same study also found no significant results when researchers compared language-matched and language-matched couples and their relationship satisfaction. Sharing a love language doesn’t necessarily make you happy (Another study in 2017 came to the same conclusion.).

However, similar relationships yield better results. If you have a conflict over values or handle the conflict in completely different ways; less likely to report relationship satisfaction.

“We’ve found that romantic couples who share similar core values, such as ethical views, political views, and the way they raise their children, tend to be more compatible,” Graf says.

So “birds of a feather flock together” is a better expression of what we look for in a long-term partner than “opposites attract.” But when we asked a sample of more than 1,600 couples about their personalities, we found that No association was found between similarity and overall life satisfaction. Given that our romantic relationships are influenced by other things that affect our life satisfaction and happiness, it’s clear that similarity alone is not enough to guarantee a happy relationship (or life). Of course.

Despite the lack of evidence to support or disprove Chapman’s theory, it’s still helpful to think about your own wants and needs in a relationship and talk about it with your partner. We often fall prey to cognitive biases known as “cognitive biases.” false consensus effectwhere we assume that others act and want the same things as we do.

Our preferences can change over time. What you consider important in a relationship today may seem superficial in 20 years. In the past, marrying for love may not have been as important as marrying for financial security; Love is now at the top of the list for most people.

About our experts

Dr Martin Graf is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at the University of South Wales, UK. His main research interests are the psychology of romantic relationships, online dating, and social media. His research has been published in the following journals: technology, mind, behavior, nova science and Cyberpsychology, behavior, and social networking.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

New Science of Lie Detection: How to Accurately Identify a Liar

Posted on February 17, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

We naturally detect lies all the time. It can be a drop in our partner's voice that alerts us to the fact that they are hiding their feelings. The eyes of a child return to the drawer containing the present they are not allowed to open. Or the incredible story told by a colleague trying to explain why the company's petty cash went missing.

However, we often cannot see through the lies. why? Researchers have been trying to answer this question for more than a century, but liars still slip through our hands. But the latest research may help shed light on where we went wrong.

Recent notable research is Associate Professor Timothy Luke and colleagues at the University of Gothenburg.they saw Research published in the past 5 years Fifty international experts in lie detection analyzed how to tell when someone is lying.

But first they needed to determine exactly what a lie was. We might use the word “lie” to refer to someone who says they look good in clothes they don't know whether they fit, a partner who seems to be trying to hide an affair, or a murderer who claims to be innocent. yeah. But are they comparable? Surely some lies carry more weight than others? Luke likes to distinguish between “white” lies and what he calls deception.

“The structure of deception is more complex than many people think,” he says. “There may be a variety of psychological processes underlying it. We're not talking about the same thing. Even superficial things like the length and type of communication are important.”

Whether you're texting a lie or telling someone a lie to their face, Luke says the core of deception is a deliberate attempt to mislead another person. But determining what is a lie is another thing. Detecting it is another thing entirely. Is there really a surefire clue to someone else's deception?

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Can you spot a liar just by looking at their eyes?

A common belief is that people who lie are reluctant to meet the gaze of others. Still, in the Gothenburg study, 82 percent of experts agreed that people who lie are less likely to avoid eye contact or look away than people who tell the truth.

“Empirical research on deception detection is vast,” he says. Per Anders Grand Hug, professor of psychology at the University of Gothenburg and one of the co-authors of the study. “But the one issue most experts agree on is that gaze aversion is not a diagnostic clue for deception.”

Similarly, 70% of experts agreed that liars appear no more nervous than truth tellers. This may be surprising since nervousness and gaze aversion are two of her four main behaviors that a liar exhibits.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images, Alamy. Image manipulation: Andy Potts.

Other traditional indicators include that liars continually change their posture, touch their body frequently, and offer explanations that are less plausible, logical, or consistent than they would be if they were telling the truth. There are things to do.

These beliefs are also based on shaky empirical evidence. The researchers investigated deception and fidgeting (body movements), how long subjects took to answer questions (response latency), and whether subjects' explanations were consistent, meaningful, and easily expressed ( found that the relationship between fluency and fluency was not clear. cut. Some experts said liars do these things more, some less, and others said there was no difference.

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words are important

Professor Aldert FreiThe University of Portsmouth expert on the psychology of deception, who was not involved in the Gothenburg study, said the most widespread misconception about deception was “the idea that nonverbal lie detection works”. ing.

He suggests that people who try to use nonverbal lie detection methods, even if those methods include polygraphs, video analysis, taking brain “fingerprints” using neuroimaging equipment, or using audio Even if it involves technologies such as change exploration, it means we need to proceed with caution. Pitch – These are all controversial areas in deception detection research.

is that so Any What is an effective way to spot a liar? According to Luke, he has one promising lead. It's the lack of detail. About 72% of experts agreed that people who lie provide less detailed information than people who tell the truth.

Vrij agreed, saying that instead of looking at how people behave, find out what they say. He said there are several linguistic indicators, such as the number of details or “complexity” that appear in the subjects' statements.

…

Despite problems associated with purported behavioral cues, such as gaze aversion, many practitioners are reluctant to replace them with more useful cues based on what the suspect says. , says Vrij. Old myths and methods slowly disappear.

“The most annoying thing is the assumptions that come from the TV programs that lead the general public.” [and] “Experts believe they can catch individual liars.” Professor Amina Memon He is a professor at the University of London, a leading expert on lie detection and interrogation, and one of the co-authors of the Gothenburg study.

Police who have a hunch about a suspect based on a typical profile of a liar may use coercive tactics such as getting innocent people to confess to crimes they did not commit. For this reason, Memon advocates interviewing with a neutral, fact-finding approach, rather than guessing whether someone is lying.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images, Alamy. Image manipulation: Andy Potts.

But behind all this lies a bigger problem. Perhaps the reason we haven't found universal clues to deception is because they simply don't exist.

Over the past century, researchers have almost exclusively adopted what is known as the non-theoretical approach. This means they are looking for the “laws” of deception, the clues that everyone shows. But perhaps the reason this kind of one-size-fits-all approach doesn't work is simply because everyone lies differently.

Poker players apply this logic when looking for other players' “tells,” actions that indicate whether that person is bluffing or not. Tellurium varies from person to person, so some people may scratch their nose when their hands are not feeling well, others may cough more, and others may seem calmer than usual.

Even if you throw these three people into a research setting, a theoretical approach will not work. These differences appear to be just noise.

Signs of lying

If we want to understand the cues, Luke argues, researchers need to take an “ideographic” approach and focus on what makes each individual unique. This involves creating a personal profile of how each person lies about the same types of things and in similar situations.

“Testing the same people under different conditions (a so-called 'repeated measures' experimental design) is the best approach,” Memon says.

An example of this approach was published in a 2022 paper. Dr. Sophie van der Zee and co-author, who has developed the first deception model specifically tailored to the individual.

…

It remains to be seen how researchers will overcome the logical hurdles, but it seems clear that the science of lie detection is changing. It's time to move away from what Luke calls “crude averages.” “People are a little too fascinated by cool tricks to spot someone's lies,” he says.

Importantly, researchers studying deception have repeatedly found that evidence from controlled environments shows that most people are bad at detecting lies. is. Liars are able to escape detection in part because they know and exploit stereotypes.

Our confirmation bias can also make us overconfident. We remember a disproportionate amount of the times when we caught a liar, and we don't notice the times when we didn't lie at all.

Even if we succeed, Luke is not convinced that the clues we think we used are really the keys we used to unlock the truth.

“Remember the last time you caught someone in a lie? How did you know?” he asks. “It probably wasn't because they were looking up and left. They probably had some kind of evidence, like receipts, text messages, witnesses. These are things that make people wonder if someone is offering the truth. That’s how we tend to actually judge whether or not.”

Even in the absence of concrete external evidence, it may be possible to assess situational factors. “In the real world, we can often understand to some extent why people would want to lie,” Luke says.

When someone we know is lying, we can better guess from subtle cues such as their gaze because we know them well. In these situations, Luke says it's best to read the situation better than the other person and try to understand their motives.

The key message is that behavioral cues to deception may exist, but they are likely to be highly personal. “It's better to trust your own detective work and check what people say against the evidence,” says Luke.

Fixed cues won't work. In fact, it can make it even harder to spot a liar. And what if no evidence is found? Luke's advice is simple. “Proceed with caution.”

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

16 ways technology has disrupted my life: from concentration issues to physical health struggles

Posted on February 17, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

LTo be fair, technology has improved my life and still surprises and delights me every day. My cell phone also turns into a flashlight! My TV remembers how far into last night's episode it was, even if I didn't. The bus stop knows when the bus is coming and can monitor the entire journey of the pizza from the restaurant to your home. Frankly, these are miracles.

However, there were corresponding sacrifices. For over 20 years, I have surrendered entire areas of ability, memory, authority, and independence to machines in my life. Along the way, we've become anxious about problems that didn't exist before, indecisive about choices we didn't have to make before, and angry about things we never noticed before. Ta.

There are probably hundreds of ways technology has ruined my life. Let's start with him 16 pieces.

1. I lose concentration.

It's not just me:
2022 survey According to a study conducted by the Center for Attention Research, 49% of adults believe their attention spans are shortening due to competing distractions available on cell phones and computers. Now I end up doing 20 minutes of half-hearted research and getting dragged down an online rabbit hole, all the while being bothered by notifications announcing the arrival of an email or the death of an elderly actor. Masu. They were close relatives or something. Especially since he chases me with the relentlessness of a bailiff on Duolingo. Sometimes he interrupts my Italian lessons and reminds me to take another Italian lesson. That's why I still can't order coffee in Rome after 5 years with her.

2. Poor posture

I felt like sitting in front of a screen all day was having a negative effect on my body, so I bought a stand to raise my computer in hopes that it would help me sit up straighter. Then it became variable focus, so I had to crane my neck and jut my chin out to read the screen through the bottom half of the glasses. I ended up switching to a laptop.Then I had to put
that on the stand. Despite this, I still have a question mark attitude. I tried setting an alarm to step away from the computer at regular intervals, but it kept waking me up.

3. Life can feel like a never-ending battle to prove you're not a robot.

Obviously, this includes all the failed attempts to click on every photo with a traffic light in it to qualify as a legitimate human investigator looking for spare dishwasher wheels . But it also means resisting the temptation to click an auto-reply button in an email that says something like “Okay, thank you!” and compose your own response. Every day is a Turing test, and you don’t always pass it.

4. Meetings are now inevitable.

You used to be able to say, “Friday?” I'm sorry, but on Friday I'm going to Antarctica. ” But thanks to Zoom, Google, and FaceTime, there is no reasonable excuse for not attending a meeting. You can also see a picture of yourself all the time, so you can see exactly how bored you are.

5. I can no longer argue in the pub.

I remember a time when it was considered ungentlemanly to check the factual accuracy of what your drinking buddies said. You were simply trying to counter their argument by presenting your own plausible facts. But when everyone has all the GDP,
brick Even though the countries are so close together, there doesn't seem to be much point in having a lively discussion. I end up researching it all night and saying, “Hmm.” These days, if you want to get into a petty argument over vague facts in an environment where phone use is prohibited, you have to go to jail. Or try a pub quiz. Either way, it's not life.

6. It's getting harder and harder to turn on.

You may have experienced the feeling you get behind the wheel of a rental car at a foreign airport, staring at the dashboard and wondering, “How am I going to drive it?” Or maybe you've faced a similar calculation in an unfamiliar shower or while standing in front of a seemingly ordinary stove. The constant development of new ways to turn things on has led us steadily away from the intuitive and toward the deliberately mysterious. Last week I found myself alone in a frigid bedroom with no electric radiator working. I ended up having to turn it upside down to find the model number to find the manual PDF online. I just wanted it to be hot.

Oddly enough, the virtual world is full of old-fashioned mechanical emulators – animated buttons that make clicking sounds. Knobs and sliders can be manipulated with a cursor, but in the real world the controls are reduced to a flat black panel covered in cryptic symbols such as a crescent moon. lightning. A circle with an M inside. M stands for mode.

This may sound like any age, but it's hard to believe that today's young people want a Wi-Fi enabled kettle.

7. You now have unfiltered access to the opinions of stupid people.

Technology not only allows us to know what stupid people are thinking; It now cherry-picks their thoughts and presents them to me every day as if I were some kind of idiot connoisseur. To be honest, I don't remember asking for anything like this.

8. Stupid people now have unfiltered access to each other's opinions.

In the past, so-called gatekeepers of traditional media restricted the flow of information through narrow, one-way channels. Now stupid people have their own media, where they can freely discuss and reaffirm stupid ideas with each other. Unfortunately, this wasn't quite the force of good we had hoped.

9.I am
I'm clearly worse at typing than I was 10 years ago.

I was never a great typist, but ever since word processing programs started correcting my mistakes, I developed a misplaced confidence in my abilities. If this facility is not available for any reason, I type like a person suffering from a stroke.

10. I feel a strange obligation to monitor bad news in real time.

They call it doomscrolling. We all do it to some degree, but bad news is just more persuasive than good news. But for me, it went from being a mild obsession to a full-time job.

11. I live in fear of being scammed.

I'm deeply suspicious of delivery notifications, communications from my mobile phone service provider, QR codes, and anything else that asks me to click on a link that I didn't order. I believe that the email from my bank regarding fraudulent activity is itself a scam. I once ignored a genuine email from my son saying he lost his phone and requested that he send a text message to a foreign number. He was alone in Vietnam at the time, and I thought, “Well done, you son of a bitch.”

12. I am forced to live in silent and shameful defiance of all conventional wisdom regarding passwords.

I don't know about you, but when I get advice about not writing down passwords, not using the same password over and over, and changing passwords regularly, I nod and say, “Sure,” but I… Write down all your passwords, keep them as few as possible, and change them only when absolutely necessary. To me, all the conventional wisdom about passwords ignores an important point. That means it's useless if you don't know the password. You can click “Forgot your password?” each time, set a new password, and forget it again immediately. By the way, I am also doing this.

13. You should go anywhere with advance warning and advance arming.

It used to be considered creepy to Google someone right before meeting them. Now it seems rude to show up without knowing anything about them. It should also give you information about what you're going to see and do, where to eat, and perhaps your travel route. Don't get me wrong. I like to be prepared. I just don't want to read a restaurant menu before leaving the house.

14. I have consistently risen to the level of disruption that every new technology allows.

As of this writing, I have 77 tabs open in my browser. Behind it is a completely different browser. Every morning I sift through the stacks of open documents to find the ones I need. You might think this virtual disorganization is preferable to a cluttered desk, even if it's neatly tucked into a slim laptop, but my desk is also cluttered, and the surrounding The walls are covered with post-its.

15. I resent technology, but I'm powerless without it.

Sometimes we hear stories of inventions that seem designed to foster slavish dependence, such as self-tuning guitars or programmable cocktail machines, but what we're actually reminded of is that technology is broken. Only when under. It's not just that you've lost the skills you need. I can't even remember the process. How did I previously find my way, figure out what to watch on TV, pay for takeout? There should have been a system in place.

16. The rest of the world is also helpless without it.

In my work in journalism, I sometimes find myself in certain technical inconveniences. A week without a smartphone. That's what a month without Google feels like. And what I got here is that if you abandon modern technology, the world generally refuses to participate in the experiment. You only know this when someone at the ticket counter looks you in the eye and tells you to download the app.

I can't win and I can't quit.

Source: www.theguardian.com

The Most Brutal Animal Courtships: Cannibalism, Barbed Penises, and Tons of Poison

Posted on February 17, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Cutting, biting, slashing, and cannibalism are not words that we naturally associate with love. But there is beauty and splendor in the dark side of animal mating, too.

This article takes a closer look at eight of the strangest courtship behaviors in the animal kingdom.

nailed to you

Monkfish

Some male anglerfish often attach themselves to passing females, reducing them to little more than brainless sperm sacs. This is called “parabiosis,” where two organisms combine to develop a shared physiological system. Monkfish are the only known example of symbiotic symbiosis in nature.

Anglerfish develop symbiotic relationships in response to the vastness of the deep sea, where encounters between the sexes are rare and rare. A male bites the first female he encounters because it’s a safer choice than gambling with another female who may never arrive.

Biologists to investigate how anglerfish achieve symbiosis Dr. Thomas Boehm Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Immunobiology and Epigenetics in Germany tested the DNA of 31 specimens from 10 species of monkfish.

They discovered that the monkfish species, which are fused male and female, lack important immune system genes. Somehow they are compromising the immune system to allow parabiosis without suffering any negative effects.

Understanding how anglerfish manage this trick could facilitate future blood transfusions and organ transplants and have important implications for medicine.

Why did it have to be a snake?

red-sided garter snake

Snakes have two penises instead of just one. These organs, known as hemipenes, allow male snakes to mate with snakes from various directions. This is especially useful for red-sided garter snakes, which form chaotic “mating balls” during mating season in which males outnumber females 100 to 1.

This situation occurs because male snakes wake up from hibernation before females, causing a temporary imbalance in the sex ratio.

To increase the probability of mating success, the hemipenes of many reptile species have evolved complex spines that lock into place during copulation. In red-sided garter snakes, the hemipenis has a large spine that is inserted into the female during copulation.

Hemipenes are impressive, but that’s only half the story. By anesthetizing the female reproductive organs of red-sided garter snakes, A team of zoologists discovered in 2014 that: Anesthetized females spent longer mating than females that were not anesthetized..

This finding suggests that by contracting the genital opening and vagina, females may be able to forcefully reject male advances and thwart an unworthy partner’s chances of success.

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I can’t get you out of my head

sea slug

Earlier this year, scientists discovered a type of nudibranch (Siphopterone Maxig) It stabs the partner directly in the center of the head with poisonous spurs, in the throes of love.

This spur (attached to the penis), called a penile stylet, injects a complex cocktail of hormones directly into the lover’s brain, increasing the odds of a successful copulation.

This is just one of the many reproductive oddities that nudibranchs have evolved. Some nudibranchs even “kiss” their bodies mouth-to-mouth before transferring their sperm. After mating, sea slugs can also “cuddle” by wrapping their colorful bodies around each other.

“Maybe ‘hugging’ is akin to protecting your spouse,” he says. Cheyenne Tatean experienced sea slug observer at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

“The threat to their reproductive success is that their sperm gets digested by their partner before it can be used for fertilization. And ‘hugging’ gives sperm a chance to travel deeper within their partner’s reproductive tract. You can get it. ”

Most people think that sea slugs, like many invertebrates, are primitive lower orders of bony animals with large brains. Their rich and duplicitous sex lives suggest otherwise.

please bite me

redback spider

The case of male spiders is complicated. To prepare for sex, they must first ejaculate onto a small web and then collect the semen in a pair of syringe-like appendages near their mouth known as palps.

Locked and loaded, the male spider must approach the female and insert its antennae into the female’s reproductive passageway, being careful not to activate the predatory kill reflex. The female’s reproductive tract happens to be just a few millimeters from the venomous fangs.

To limit the chance of being eaten, male spiders have evolved complex dances to clearly communicate their sexual intentions.

Some offer gifts to the female to keep her entertained while the sperm transfer takes place. But male redback spiders go one step further: During mating, the male somersaults balletically into the female’s jaw, encouraging her to bite.

This self-sacrifice gives men two bonuses. The first one, The longer it takes to snack, the more eggs his sperm can fertilize.

Second, females that have just eaten a male appear to be more likely to reject the next male that comes along.

cupid’s arrow

garden snail

During courtship, some species of snails periodically fire chemical-tipped arrows at each other, like the garden snail pictured here.

And since snails have both female and male reproductive organs, these arrows (or “love darts”) often fly in both directions.

“The purpose of the love dart is not to kill the mate, but to introduce bioactive substances that affect the mate’s reproductive process,” states Dr. Joris M. Corne of the Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environmental Research.

The substances contained in love darts contain a rich cocktail of special compounds (known as allomones) that prevent sperm from being lost within the reproductive tract of a potential mate if mating takes place.

Each species of snail has its own unique shape. Some love darts are curved like a harpoon. Some have thorns. Some have diamond-shaped tips, like decorated spears.

Can misfires cause fatalities? “I’ve occasionally seen darts go straight into the recipient’s head, and the recipient survived.” says Joris M. Corne.

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It’s not cricket

mugwort cricket

For sage crickets, sex is all about give and take. The male takes his time during mating to ensure that he can transfer as many sperm as possible.

But to do that, you have to offer something of yourself: your wings.

Female western crickets not only devour the male’s feathers during mating, but also drink blood-like fluids that leak from the male’s wounds.

her hunger is so bad During this placement, a man’s weight can decrease by 10%.

But men have even more talents. His sperm is encased in a slimy shell, which the female can eat if she wants.

John Cricket’s bizarre mating habits are one of many spectacular arrangements that have evolved between sexes.

These tactics and strategies help zoologists explore the economics of animal sexual reproduction, sometimes reshaping our understanding.

About how evolution works.

I’ll happily eat it

praying mantis

“Cannibalism has its advantages,” says Nathan Burke, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Hamburg, who studies the mating strategies of praying mantises.

“It can lead to improved growth, condition and reproduction in cannibals. What makes many praying mantises and spiders different from other cannibals is that they also cannibalize in mating situations, usually eating the male. That means it’s only female.”

Burke is particularly interested in the wrestling matches that some praying mantis species engage in before mating. Wrestling matches involve violent grappling and violent contests between males and females who scrape their paws together.

If the female wins these struggles, the male will almost certainly be eaten. However, if the male wins, there is a good chance of mating.

Why sexual cannibalism is so rare among insects remains a subject of debate.

“The thing about praying mantises is that they are mostly sit-and-wait predators. They don’t move around looking for food, they patiently wait for food to come to them,” says Burke.

“This sit-and-wait lifestyle may be a pre-adaptation for sexual cannibalism.”

This may explain why cannibalism occurs in other sit-and-wait predators such as spiders.

barbed penis

Seed beetle

A seed beetle’s penis, which has hundreds of sharp spines whose purpose is to scratch and tear the female’s reproductive organs, makes no sense at all.

After all, how does a penis gene that damages a woman’s reproductive tract spread throughout a population?

The advantages of a barbed penis for male stud beetles are obvious. Males with longer backbones tend to have more offspring. Part of the reason is that the wounds men inflict act as entry points for the nutrient-rich chemicals they produce during sex.

But from a genetic perspective, women may also benefit. In 2021, Swedish scientists have bred two strains of male stud beetles, one has long spines and the other has short spines. They then looked at what happened to the females that bred with each subgroup.

A female stag beetle that mated with a male with long spines produced sons with the same long spines. However, their daughters also appeared to have inherited some valuable traits.

On average, they were larger and produced more eggs during their lifetime.

About our experts

Dr. Joris M. CorneAssociate Professor at the Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environmental Research. His research focuses on simultaneous reproduction in hermaphrodites. His research has been published in several peer-reviewed journals, including PLoS ONE and Current Biology.

Dr. Nathan BurkeHe is an evolutionary ecologist and Alexander von Humboldt Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Hamburg, Germany. His research investigates sexual antagonism in the springbok mantis (Myomantis cafra).

Dr. Cheyenne TateI am a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She received her PhD from the University of Notre Dame in 2019.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Five asteroids narrowly miss Earth today, including one with the potential to cause widespread destruction

Posted on February 17, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Today, not one, but five asteroids are hurtling past Earth, all at their closest approach.

The largest one was discovered just a few weeks ago. Potentially Dangerous 2024 BR4. Measuring between 140 and 300 meters in length, it is a sizable chunk of space rock. At its highest estimate, it would be about the size of an oil tanker, six Olympic-sized swimming pools, or as tall as New York City's Chrysler Building.

And just like the box of chocolates you might stuff your cheeks with, we have a few more surprises in store for you on the day. Dr. Darren Baskillan astronomer at the University of Sussex, said:

“On Wednesday, February 14, 2024, a total of five asteroids will pass Earth, all within 5 million kilometers.”

It may seem like a long way, but from an astronomical perspective, it's just a stone's throw away.

“The closest of these five is asteroid 2024 CU1, which is scheduled to pass about 52 percent further away than the Moon and is about 20 meters in diameter.”

In 2024, CU1 will be closest at 1:31 PM GMT (+/- 1 minute). However, it is only 20 meters in diameter, much smaller than the much talked about “city killer” called 2024 BR4.

How close will asteroid 2024 BR4 get?

Asteroid 2024 BR4, one of a group of asteroids that will fly past Earth today, will make its closest approach at a distance of 4.6 million km (2.86 million miles). In terms of AU, this is approximately 0.03 AU, well within the criteria for designation as a potentially hazardous object (see Meaning of a “Potentially Hazardous” Asteroid below).

(To convert kilometers per mile to AU, divide the distance in kilometers per mile by the distance in 1 AU of the same unit.)

Closest approach is expected to occur at 11:03 GMT today (±1 minute).

Will asteroid 2024 BR4 collide with Earth?

The Valentine's Day asteroid is hurtling through space at about 44,880 kilometers per hour (27,887 miles per hour), only slightly faster than the average speed recorded by Galileo during his six-year mission to Jupiter, but we… No need to worry. About influencing our heavenly oasis.

It passes us safely and poses no immediate threat to Earth.

“Asteroid 2024 BR4 will pass close to Earth 12 times further away than the Moon,” Baskill explains.

What do we know about Asteroid 2024 BR4?

Unfortunately, there are very few. In general, the larger the object, the brighter it is (the brighter the object, the lower the magnitude). NASA assigned asteroid 2024 BR4 a magnitude of 21.457.. It's not very bright.

However, we also need to know the object's albedo (surface reflectance), which is currently unknown. Current best estimates place the asteroid's size between 140 and 300 meters in diameter. But we know its trajectory with relative certainty. And today's visit will bring us the closest in 120 years to realizing BR4 in 2024.

…

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Thousands Rally for Smartphone-Free Childhood: British Parents Sound the Alarm

Posted on February 17, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

More than 4,000 parents have joined a group pledging to ban their young children from smartphones, amid growing concerns about online safety and the impact of social media on mental health.

The WhatsApp group ‘Smartphone Free Childhood’ responds to concerns about children’s smartphone use and the ‘norm’ of giving children smart devices when they attend secondary school, created by former school friends Clare Furnyhoff and Daisy Green. Founded by Well.

“I have children aged 7 and 9. Daisy has children of a similar age and we both feel really scared and anxious and now it’s 11 years old and it’s normal. I didn’t want him to have a smartphone at his age.”

Fernyhoff and Greenwell hope the campaign will encourage parents to delay giving their children smartphones until at least the age of 14 and ban them from accessing social media until the age of 16.

But what they had hoped would be a small group of friends “empowering each other” turned into a nationwide group after the group reached its 1,000-person capacity within 24 hours of Greenwell uploading the message. It turned into a campaign. Instagram post To promote it.

“We were completely surprised by this,” Fernyhough said. “I’ve gone completely crazy.”

Daisy Greenwell. Photo: Alastair Bartlett/Tilt Shift Creative

The pair encouraged people to form local groups to deal with the demand. “Before our eyes, within 30 minutes, 30 local groups were born across the country, and it continues to grow,” Fernyhoff said.

The group has been transformed into a community to allow more people to participate and currently has approximately 4,500 members.

Smartphones are exposing children to a “world they’re not ready for”, with access to pornography and content about self-harm and suicide, which can have a negative impact on children’s mental health, Furneyhough said. said. “I thought maybe they don’t need it. You don’t need a smartphone at that age. A brick phone can do everything you need.”

Ofcom research shows that 91% of children in the UK own a smartphone by the age of 11, and 44% by the age of 9.

“We thought we had extreme ideas, and that’s why we wanted to be in solidarity with each other, but what we realized was that we were actually pulling the lid on something. I mean, it’s like an open question. I came here by mistake, and people really need to talk about this, and a lot of people feel the same way we do. I feel like I can’t talk,” Fernyhoff said.

Brianna Gee’s mother, Esther Gee, earlier this week called for a complete ban on social media for under-16s, calling for a complete ban on social media access for under-16s, unless tech companies take steps to restrict access to harmful content. , said there would be more people with mental health problems.

Brianna was murdered on February 11, 2023, and her mother believes she was vulnerable after spending so much time online.

The goal is to change this norm, Fernyhow said, so that by the time children graduate from elementary school, the whole class will come together and say, “Let’s all delay this until at least 14 years old.” This means that all children in primary school go on to secondary school where they have a certain number of peers doing the same thing, reducing peer pressure.

“We don’t just want kids to go to middle school,” Fernyhoff said. “It’s a nightmare. No one would do that to their child.” But if 20%, 30%, even 50% of his children enroll because their parents made that decision. , they will be in a much better position.

“They can have the childhood they were meant to have, focus on learning, and enjoy the real world without having to spend their lives scrolling. We all know that’s not good for them. I know.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Research reveals that apes lack a good sense of humor

Posted on February 17, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Have you ever tapped someone on the far shoulder only to see them spin the wrong way, and then do it again immediately? Why is this funny? You might think that it’s an inherent human trait to find things like this funny, and that complex communication and context are needed for a gag to work, but you’d be wrong.

New research published in today’s journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B found evidence of monkey business (sorry) in four species of great apes, shedding light on the evolutionary origins of humor.

The findings suggest that the playful teasing exhibited by 8-month-old human children may have deeper roots in our primate relatives than previously thought.

Such behavior involves intentionally subverting the expectations of others. Examples include repeatedly offering and withdrawing goods, or intentionally disrupting another person’s activities by creating an element of surprise.

To understand these behaviors, the researchers observed spontaneous social interactions among populations of orangutans, chimpanzees, bonobos, and gorillas. They in turn analyzed everything from the teasing person’s body movements and facial expressions to how the target of the teasing (the teasing person?) reacts.

In addition to this, the researchers investigated whether the teasing behavior was targeted at specific individuals, whether it continued or escalated over time, and whether the teasing behavior was waiting for a response from the target. We tried to investigate the intentions behind the teasing.

“Our findings support the idea that teasing great apes is a provocative, purposeful, and often playful behavior.” Isabel Romersaid the postdoctoral researcher and lead author of the study. BBC Science Focus. “It is usually asymmetric and can take a variety of forms with varying proportions of playful and aggressive characteristics.”

In total, the researchers identified 18 distinct teasing behaviors. These include repeatedly shaking or brandishing objects in the center of the target’s visual field, hitting or poking them, staring into their faces, and pulling their hair. How fascinating!

Unlike play exhibited by all animals in the animal kingdom, playful teasing has several unique characteristics. “Apes’ playful teasing is one-sided and mostly comes from teasing,” he explained. Erica Cartmill Senior author of the study.

“Animals also rarely use play cues, such as the primate ‘play face,’ which resembles what we call a smile, or the ‘grasping’ gesture that signals intent to play,” she continued. Ta.

Cartmill recalled seeing such behavior in apes for the first time in 2006. Then he observed a young orangutan begging his mother by repeatedly waving a stick in front of her. “It didn’t look like a joke that would fit in a stand-up special on Netflix, but it seemed like a simple joke that could be used with young human children,” she said.

Almost 20 years after this interaction, this research has provided important insights not only into great ape behavior but also into our own behavior. “Depending on the species, great apes share 97 to 99 percent of our DNA, so we have a lot in common,” Romer said.

“The existence of playful teasing in all four great apes, and its similarity to playful teasing behavior in human infants, suggests that playful teasing and its cognitive prerequisites may have been associated with the last human species at least 13 million years ago. This suggests that it may have existed in a common ancestor.

Going forward, Romer and her team will investigate whether other primates and large-brained animals tease each other in hopes of better understanding the evolution of this important (and highly entertaining) behavior. intend to do something.

About our experts

Isabel Romer I am a postdoctoral researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Animal Behavior in Radolfzell/Konstanz. She is a primatologist and cognitive biologist with 10 years of experience studying great apes and Goffin parrots. Her main research areas are within physical cognition, tool use and manufacturing, tool innovation, template matching from memory, flexible multidimensional decision making based on reward quality and tool functionality. is focused on. Her work also delves into social cognition, exploring prosociality, aversion to inequality, delay of gratification, theory of mind, and playful teasing with these animal subjects. .

Erica Cartmill He is a professor of anthropology, cognitive science, and ethology at Indiana University. Her research bridges the fields of biology and linguistics, using both comparative and developmental methods to examine communication. Her research with great apes and humans includes observing spontaneous interactions between communication partners and employing communication games that allow for more controlled experiments. Her research focuses specifically on whether gestures played a role in the origin of human language.

read more:

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Experience the Tonight’s Moon Illusion: A Guide to Witnessing the Breathtaking “Moon Shadow”

Posted on February 17, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

The early crescent phase of the moon following the new moon is well located in the early spring evening sky. From February to March, the spring crescent moon looks very beautiful in the evening glow.

If you have binoculars or a small telescope, there are some things to keep in mind. Known as the clair-obscure effect, or trick of the light, this effect causes recognizable shapes to appear within a jumbled area of moonlight and shadow. Two popular examples are known as Moons X and V. These occur simultaneously at different locations along the moon’s terminator (the line that separates night and day).

We spot them in the daytime sky around 12:40 a.m. on February 17th and again at 2:20 p.m. on March 17th. The effect lasts only a few hours.

Another striking Clair Obscure effect is the Jeweled Handle. This occurs a few days after the waxing moon, when the crooked peaks of the Montes Jura (Jura Mountains) are illuminated at dawn.

These Clare Obscure effects, or tricks of light, will be visible over the next month. Go outside on a sunny day and watch them. – Image credit: Pete Lawrence

Its unique arc appears to extend into the lunar night. This can be seen with just a keen eye, but is best seen with optical aids. The jeweled handle is best observed during daylight hours on February 19 at 3:50 p.m.

If the evening of March 13 is clear, the waxing moon will appear near bright Jupiter. If the skies are clear and you can see it with just your eyes, it’s a spectacular sight.

Speaking of eyes, if you have a small telescope, look at the southern part of the moon in a few days, on March 18th. Just before 8 p.m., the oval exterior of Clavius, the large crater, is mostly dark and shrouded in shadow.

Two exceptions are the raised crater rims that are illuminated within them. These form another perspective effect known as the Eye of Clavius.

read more:

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Beware: A single click can result in overwhelming spam bombardment | Consumer Affairs

Posted on February 17, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

D

o Do brochures from companies you've never heard of regularly land on your doormat with a thud? These junk mail deliveries can reveal how the sender got your name and address, and who you are. You may wonder if your personal information is being shared without your permission.

One Guardian Money reader got in touch with fashion retailer Boden after she was bombarded with unsolicited posts when she placed her first order. Within weeks, she was sent catalogs from more than a dozen luxury brands selling clothing, food, and furniture, from Me+Em to The Fold to Biscuiters to Daylesford Organic to Loaf.

“There could be people who knew my address and sent me endless catalogs of bulky, environmentally unfriendly clothing that I would never buy,” she says. “I felt like someone was very careless with my privacy.”

“legitimate interest”

If you're seeing a growing pile of catalogs, the retailer you used may have passed your address to a data broker.

This legal trading of personal information is big business, involving companies ranging from huge multinationals to small British companies. Some perform simple activities such as collating and selling lists of names and contacts. Some combine multiple data sources to create rich profiles of individuals that may be considered intrusive.

The way businesses capture and use personal data (information such as name, email address, address and telephone number) is governed by UK data protection as set out in the General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Managed.

Have you ever wondered how the sender of your catalog got your name and address?
Photo: Alicia Kanter/The Guardian

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) says that to comply, organizations need to be upfront and tell people what they want to do with their data. This includes whether you plan to use a data broker service to obtain additional information or perform profiling. You also need to notify people if you plan to share their data with data brokers. “Organizations must clarify the purpose of processing and identify the data. legal basis for processing,” the ICO said.

“In the context of data brokerage, the commonly referred legal bases are consent and legitimate interests.”

This is why the words “legitimate interest” and “consent” often feature prominently in company website privacy notices.

Andrew Northage, a partner at law firm Walker Morris, said the first clause typically covers marketing, saying: “It is reasonable for retailers to promote their products and services; “This is to avoid having a strong negative impact on customers.”

Where direct marketing is carried out electronically (including by telephone, email and messaging) rather than by post, the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003 also apply, Northage said. Here, the only legal basis for data sharing is consent.

“Customers should read the retailer's privacy notice to see if it offers to share data with third parties for marketing purposes,” he advises.

They should “only consent to this sharing if they are clear about what they are consenting to.”

prospect pool

among them
Privacy notice Borden said it collects personal information “just like when you shop online.” “So we can send you a tailored offer for something you actually want, like that spotted raincoat.”

The company also said it may share users' names, addresses and “order details” with data brokers Epsilon and Experian, which “manage lead pools on behalf of UK retailers.” There is.

Managed by Epsilon (part of French advertising group Publicis).
Abacus Alliance. This is a large database where over 250 participating catalog retailers and multichannel retailers share the names and addresses of their shopping customers, so other members can target them with mailshots. I can.

A “lead pool” is, as the name suggests, a collection of potential customers. Analysts, or more recently, artificial intelligence software, comb through this data to identify purchasing patterns. As a result, your name may be given to a company that appears to be selling what you want to buy.

There is no suggestion of wrongdoing by Borden or Epsilon.

Have you ever wondered what personal information is collected when you shop online?
Photo: Yui Mok/PA

Borden says
“We strictly comply with data protection regulations. ”Additionally, “Customers can opt out of marketing at the time of purchase, through the marketing settings in their account, or through our customer service team. .”

Readers traced the source of the junk mail to the Abacus Alliance. “I called and was told it would be six months before deliveries would stop,” she said.

If you are in a similar situation and would like your personal data removed from our database, you can:
fill out the form Please contact us via our website by calling 020 89438049 or nomail@epsilon.com.

The ICO says it has received a small number of complaints regarding Epsilon and Abacus Alliance in recent years, but has “determined that there is no further action to take in response to these complaints and is now closing the process.” he added.

Please refrain from spam mail

If you are unhappy with the amount of junk mail you receive, there are several things you can do to remove your name from the broker's database.

free
Mail priority service (MPS) allows you to opt out of unsolicited personal email.

Russell Roach, head of preference services at the Data Marketing Association (DMA), which runs MPS, suggests that if you receive an unwanted catalog, you should first contact the company directly. “Send a letter or email to the company and ask them to remove your personal data from their records and affiliates,” he says. “Tell me how you feel about receiving all this junk mail.

“Register with MPS and we will do it for you. Our website says:
Complaints section Here, we ask you to scan or send the email you receive. My team will then contact the organization and give you 14 days to respond.

“When we talk to this organization, we argue that emailing only those who want to receive information saves time and money and reduces waste.”

There are several ways to prevent receiving unsolicited email.
Photo: Martin Argules/The Guardian

If you want to take it a step further, you can contact the Information Commissioner's Office, which has its own complaints process.

When signing up for a new product or service, the important things to look for are the boxes that are pre-checked. “You can check the box to say, 'I understand the terms and conditions,' but there's also a checkbox that says, 'Are you sure you want to transfer your data to some of our affiliates that offer similar services?' Sometimes it’s pre-checked,” says Roach. Uncheck this box to avoid unnecessary contact.

A growing number of companies, like DeleteMe, delete personal information sold online in exchange for a subscription fee (in this case £115 a year).

“DeleteMe exists to save people the time and headache of figuring out how to opt out of all these marketing schemes and data broker databases,” said Rob Shavel, CEO of the company. Masu.

“Hopefully, the result will be less direct mail, less spam, less robocalls, less phone calls, and less marketing that is unpleasant to you and offers little benefit to you personally.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Tiny robots may soon navigate human livers to combat cancer

Posted on February 17, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Science fiction has often depicted microscopic robots, but these tiny machines have become a reality with a wide range of real-world applications such as disease prevention and building repair.

A Canadian research team is now focusing on using these small robots to target liver cancer in various fields. They are working on using them in conjunction with MRI equipment to treat diseases (source).

A series of small biocompatible robots, made of magnetizable iron oxide nanoparticles guided by an external magnetic field, could potentially deliver medical care in a highly targeted manner.

Despite the potential of this technology, it faces a major technical challenge. The gravity of these microrobots exceeds the magnetic force, limiting their guidance if the tumor is located higher than the injection site.

To address this challenge, Dr. Jill Soules, a researcher at the CHUM Research Center at the University of Montreal, developed an algorithm that combines gravity and magnetic navigation forces to guide the microrobots into the arterial branches that feed the tumor.

This research has the potential to change the way liver cancer is treated with radiation therapy, which is the most common type of cancer causing 700,000 deaths annually worldwide.

Dr. Soulez emphasized the advantages of the magnetic resonance navigation technique, indicating that the tumor is better visualized on MRI than on X-ray.

In an experiment using pigs to recreate anatomical conditions, the researchers successfully navigated the hepatic artery branches of the animals and arrived at their destination using the microrobots.

Furthermore, using an anatomical atlas of the human liver, the researchers were able to simulate microrobot maneuvers on 19 patients treated with transarterial chemoembolization, finding that in more than 95% of cases, the location of the tumors matched the navigation algorithm to reach the targeted tumor.

Despite these significant advances, clinical application of this technology is still in the distant future, as artificial intelligence models need further training and improvements for real-time navigation of microrobots to the liver.

read more:

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Finding Joy in Life Without Technology: John Cooper Clarke on Writing Poems by Candlelight with a Quill

Posted on February 17, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

B
Oh, back then I felt a certain amount of sympathy for people who were forced to become computer savvy. They were often seen on the streets struggling home, carrying rucksacks full of technology and ruining the lines of their Hugo Boss suits. It looked like a ball and chain to me. So I stayed away. Every time someone mentioned a computer, I said: “What do you need a computer for?” I’m a poet. ”

Then, when cell phones came out, I was sitting next to two girls on public transportation. That’s when I heard one of the girls’ girlfriends say to the other one: “Her boss just bought her a new cell phone,” I thought. I’m sure he does. If he put an iron collar around your neck, would you be happy about it?

The proliferation of cell phones may have been the moment I truly distanced myself from technology. At first, people were saying they were admiring me, as if it were some kind of principled position I was taking. I thought they were praising me now, but in the future they would be like, “Who the hell do you think you are without a cell phone?” And it was proven. Their love quickly turned to hatred.

The last piece of technology I worked on was the DVD player. From then on, I decided that I didn’t need any more machines in my life. I write all my poems using a quill (a beautiful one with a calligrapher’s nib) and parchment by candlelight. The quill was originally a prop for a photo shoot I was doing, but I decided to keep it with the pot of ink. I don’t have a typewriter, computer, or cell phone, so I can’t send email. If anyone needs me, please call my landline. I’m usually at home anyway, but I’m not living off-grid.

As a teenager, I really liked the idea of becoming the next Mickey Spillane, the great American crime writer. But I had to abandon that idea. If I tried to write a detective story set in modern times, people would say, “What’s he running there for?” Why didn’t he text? Why didn’t he go into a phone booth? Why didn’t he Google his Skype?

Not all changes are for the better. Progress is great, but it’s often tempting to say, “I can stop there.” That’s the nature of progress, isn’t it? It always lasts longer than necessary. Who the hell asked for touch-sensitive controls for everything?

The best place to listen to music is in your car, so I now put most of my music on cassette tapes. There is a ghetto blaster in every room of the house. The storage room also has a television, VHS player, and a spare VHS player. I have three large chests of drawers that contain all the videos I’ve recorded and a few I forgot to record. In 1989, he returned to blockbuster films such as “The Terminator''.

Moving away from technological development was never a political or even conscious decision. I am not convinced that I made the right choice because I receive thousands of punishments every day from the analog community. Every day, it’s “Visit our app!” or “Visit our website!” In my day and age, you have to interact with medical institutions on a regular basis, and you just have to talk to a real person – and a flesh-and-blood person. That’s not possible.

I don’t like a “cashless society” either. I spent 40 years trying to make money with this poem lark, and the moment I got the money, suddenly no one wanted it anymore. Even my bank has moved to another town. To earn my own money I have to take a taxi which costs £70 round trip. But I don’t do online banking. We often hear horror stories about large sums of money going missing. Once you have the money, it should be the end of your worries, not the beginning of new and worst worries.

I hate that some people run away with the idea that I’m some kind of social justice warrior, but technology seems to be having a negative impact on people who are struggling in society. For example, how does it affect mendicants? If no one has spare change, how will an ordinary person living in a cardboard box get by?

Another thing I don’t want to see is Tesco cashier workers losing their jobs over do-it-yourself cashiers. People talk about the speed of technology, but how fast has it really become? Once upon a time, if you were on your way to work and there was a queue at a newsagent’s, you could pick up a newspaper and I was able to run to the front of the queue and leave my ninepence on the counter. “Daily Guardian, hey there. Now you have to queue while someone takes 20 minutes to self-scan every item. I’m glad people live longer these days. Because there are so many things you have to waste your time on.

For me, it was always about computers or career. Work will never get done! I know this because my daughter has a computer. I didn’t want to give it to her, but at the same time she doesn’t want to impose her own prejudices on her child. She would have been the only one in her school class without her.

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Photo: Alicia Kanter/The Guardian

Anyway, when she got this computer, she said, “You should get one too, Dad, he’ll love it. ” I said, “I know you do, but that’s the problem.” She wanted to see how good they really were, so she said to her, “Can you bring in Dion and the Belmonts?” Let’s see how long it takes. After 3 seconds, Runaround Sue will play. That’s why I can’t own a computer. It’s easy to get distracted. Six weeks later, he was found dead, buried under a pile of pizza boxes.

I don’t like TV. To be honest, I’ve never been a big fan of television. We have Freeview, which has about 800 channels. I like shows like “Bangers & Cash” and “Wheeler Dealers.” And I like Portillo’s Great British Railroad Journey and Great American Railroad Journey. You’ll learn more in 30 minutes with that guy than you would in 10 years at school. (An amazing reinvention of the man Portillo.)

I’ve heard that some people are paying a lot of money to go “off the grid” these days. I imagine it as some kind of retreat with a religious, Zen-Buddhist vibe. A step into another dimension for a while. i haven’t. For example, I’m a big fan of electricity. I enjoy brief power outages just to remind gung-ho environmentalists what life is like without electricity. If we abolish electricity, millions of people will die immediately. Therefore, what he does for 10 minutes without power will be a healthy lesson for everyone. There’s a lot more to like about the modern world. They had just discovered streptomycin when I was a sick child with tuberculosis. When I was young, I loved electric guitars. I played bass in a band. So, I’m not the kind of person who wishes he had lived 200 years ago.

People’s natural abilities are beginning to shrink due to technology. People ask me, “What would you do if you left home without your cell phone and got lost?” I don’t get lost. As long as you have a tongue in your head, you will find a way. People stopped talking to other people. Anyway, the only time I leave the house alone is to ride my bike. Even that is old, a 1959 Hercules. I go to the bookstore by bicycle. There’s a lot of technology involved in gambling these days, but I prefer the old days. I prefer the days when it was knee-deep in cigarette butts and full of losers. My first job was as a runner for a bookmaker, so I was exposed to the world of depraved gamblers from an early age. I think that’s what kept me from doing that.

It’s a technology issue. You stop interacting with the real world. It removes what we used to call social life. Knock on people’s doors. An encounter at a pub. We talk a lot about responsible drinking now, but it used to be enforced in your local pub. Your father’s friend will be there and say, “You drank too much, brace yourself. There’s still three hours until closing time.” It’s those subtle things, the low-level checks that keep you from having a nervous breakdown and turning into a housebound drunkard sitting alone drinking a very strong cheap lager in front of a porn movie. People worry about technology in grand science fiction terms and think it could end the world. But there’s no point in looking toward a dystopian future. Take a look around. The nightmare is already upon us.

As told by Tim Jones.

Lo and behold, John Cooper Clarke’s new poetry collection is now on sale, priced at £16.99 (Picador). To support the Guardian and Observer, order your copy here: guardianbookshop.com. Shipping charges may apply. Cooper Clarke tours his new show ‘Get Him While He’s Still Alive’ Running across the UK from March 5th to June 28th.

Source: www.theguardian.com

CERN’s New 91km-Long Particle Accelerator May Soon Unveil the End of the Universe

Posted on February 17, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Officials at CERN, the world’s leading particle physics research institute, have announced plans to build the world’s largest particle accelerator. The machine is designed to smash molecules at near the speed of light, marking a significant step forward.

The proposed super collider, called the Future Circular Collider (FCC), will be a massive 91 km in length, three times the size of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). This new machine will allow scientists to collide particles with greater precision and energy than ever before, potentially unraveling some of the universe’s biggest mysteries. These include the existence of more matter than antimatter, the nature of dark matter and energy, the presence of hidden extra dimensions, and the existence of the universe as a whole.

This step forward is significant because scientists hope the FCC will deepen their understanding of particle physics, aiming to explain why particles have specific masses and forces, and to uncover the nature of dark matter and dark energy, which account for 95% of the mass-energy of the universe. If approved, construction is expected to start by the mid-2030s, with the first stage operating around 2045, followed by a second phase extending research into the 2070s, establishing the FCC as a multigenerational scientific research effort.

Is bigger always better?

The importance of building larger particle accelerators lies in the fact that they can achieve higher collision energies. The goal is to put in enough energy to create new particles, such as the Higgs boson. The FCC aims to eventually reach seven times the collision energy of the LHC, offering a new and more complete understanding of physics.

The FCC will be capable of creating millions of Higgs particles, providing scientists with the opportunity to study them in great detail to understand how they interact with other particles. The Higgs boson is a carrier particle of the Higgs field that permeates space and gives mass to other particles, challenging previously held concepts about matter and mass.

CERN’s proposed super collider would be 91 km long and would be the largest particle collider ever built. The hope is that its increased precision and higher collision energies will eventually allow physicists to understand the nature of the Higgs boson, and perhaps even reality itself. – Image credit: CERN

god particle

In addition to providing deeper insight into the Higgs boson, the FCC will also aim to uncover the mechanisms by which the Higgs boson interacts and its significance in the universe. It is thought to have played a crucial role in the very beginning of the universe, nanoseconds after the big bang, by giving mass to matter as the universe grew and cooled. The influence of the Higgs boson is also relevant in understanding how the universe will end, as it affects the stability of the universe itself.

The FCC is expected to contribute to our understanding of whether the universe is in a stable or unstable state, providing the key to answering fundamental questions about the universe’s fate.

the beginning and end of the universe

The FCC will play a crucial role in answering questions about the beginning and the end of the universe, with the expertise of notable scientists like Marcus Chown, professor Andy Parker, and Matthew McCullough. The expectation is that this new accelerator will contribute to an in-depth understanding of the fundamental physics that govern the universe and our place within it.

About our experts

Marcus Chown is an award-winning author, broadcaster, and former radio astronomer. He is the author of Breakthrough: The Spectacle of Scientific Discovery His Story from the Higgs Boson to the Black Hole (Faber & Faber, 2021). Professor Andy Parker is a British physicist and professor of high-energy physics at the University of Cambridge. He is a member and chair of the CERN Science Policy Committee and the Scientific Advisory Committee on Future Circular Colliders, among other notable positions. Matthew McCullough is a theoretical physicist and researcher at CERN, focused on areas of interest including collisional physics, cosmology, astroparticle physics, and quantum field theory, involved in FCC feasibility studies.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Witness a Real Near-Death Experience

Posted on February 17, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

In the strange world of the paranormal, one unique phenomenon that comes up again and again is the near-death experience (NDE). The white light at the end of the tunnel, the memories of someone’s life flashing before your eyes, and even the vision of heaven.

All these clichés are thoroughly played out in movies and TV shows for a reason. Research shows that people do experience these intense visions.

A near-death experience can be an amazing boost to a better life, making people happier, more fulfilled, and less afraid of death. It is not just natural to feel quite distraught when you are close to death and experience such a mirage. In fact, the opposite may also be true.

So what exactly are the effects of a near-death experience? What’s happening in the brain during these events? And… well, is it possible to create one without nearly dying?

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What is a near-death experience actually like?

Although not all near-death experiences result in some form of vision or ultimately a unique experience, they are very common and often apply to positive or negative experiences.

“When people started studying near-death experiences, the focus was almost entirely on the more positive, more typical experiences. But as time went on, people became more aware of the negative as well. Now,” Professor Chris French said a psychologist who believes in the paranormal. BBC Science Focus in instant genius Podcast.

“In terms of what’s going on, it’s a very rich hallucinatory experience, but it feels incredibly real. It feels as real as anything you’ve ever experienced.”

For those who have had positive experiences, it’s not as much of a problem, but when people have negative experiences, they often have problems such as: increased fear of death, and may even experience lifelong trauma. What’s even more frightening is that people think: Approximately 1 in 5 near-death experiences You fall into this negative camp.

Chris categorizes these negative experiences into three categories.

The first is the most important consideration. positive experience. An awe-inspiring moment, perhaps seeing their memories come flooding back to them, but they may not see it in a positive way.
The second category he describes as Hieronymus Bosch’s hellscape. In other words, this is a complete nightmarish view of life and death, where humans are tortured and a painful afterlife awaits them.
Finally, something even more sinister, there is nothing. Many reports paint a picture of an empty void, where you spend the rest of eternity drifting aimlessly.

So far, it doesn’t sound very good, but what about positive experiences? These still sound pretty scary, but the vast majority of people have experienced intense experiences that help them realize the joy in life. We are reporting positive experiences in line with our experience.

Common examples include feeling yourself floating out of your body, seeing your life flashing before your eyes, and of course seeing the light forming at the end of the tunnel you have to walk through. Here are the people who saw it.

When people have a more positive experience, they tend to report sensations at the same time. You feel lighter, freer and completely calm. For some people, these visions (which can be quite frightening) can be made more comfortable by the joy they feel.

These experiences are associated with a higher appreciation for life and positive feelings towards the whole experience, despite coming close to death.

The science behind the experience

So what exactly causes near-death experiences? Are they visions from God? Can we actually get a glimpse of the afterlife? Of course, science cannot say for sure. But researchers like French have an interesting theory.

“Most neuropsychologists think this is a vision of a dying brain. Strange things usually happen in the brain in situations like this, and this is how we experience it,” French said. Told.

“It’s incredibly real, and there’s no definitive answer to explain it, but this is definitely the most logical answer we have.”

This experience is described as follows: Neuroscientists point out that ‘the body’s multisensory integration is impaired’. In other words, it is an enhanced experience caused by the simultaneous firing of multiple sensory stimuli due to an extreme physical experience.

In the brain, this occurs primarily in the right temporoparietal cortex, the part of the brain that takes in information from the visual, auditory, and somatosensory (sensory) systems.

“It’s important to note that someone doesn’t actually have to be close to death to experience this, they just need to believe it. Although there are still many questions remaining regarding near-death experiences. , a neuropsychological approach is the best we have.”

read more:

A more fulfilling life after facing death

You’re close to death, you’ve had some kind of vision of the afterlife, and now you’re back to normal life. How do people move forward when they find themselves in a situation like this?

For most people, the experience is transformative. An overwhelming percentage of people who have had a near-death experience report a desire to change their lives after approaching death.

This is not necessarily good news; divorce increases in the following cases: One member of the couple has had a near-death experience.. For others, it could be: Onset of PTSD The event, especially the feeling of disconnection from life.

However, as mentioned above, for most people, near-death experiences have a surprisingly positive impact on the rest of their lives. A near-death experience is Improving morality, happiness, and sense of fulfillment in lifeand for some too Increased confidence in one’s religion.

Not surprisingly, many people who have had a near-death experience believe that they have seen the afterlife or experienced another dimension, and have since focused on reincarnation, the afterlife, and projections of the mind. It becomes much more spiritual.

One very common association among people who have experienced such visions is that Altruism and decreased interest in material goods. This included a decreased desire to earn and keep money.

In a study of cardiac arrest survivors People who have had a near-death experience are statistically less afraid of death, have more belief in life after death, are more interested in the meaning of life, are more accepting of others, and are more likely to be loving and empathetic. has become higher.

For some people, this takes effect immediately after they regain consciousness. For some people, this can take years to build up.

How to induce a near-death experience without nearly dying

This all sounds great, but dying is a very difficult way to bring more joy into your life. Is there an easier way to experience a near-death experience? Technically yes. There are reports of people getting into them without the dying part.

In some cases, people have been able to meditate on near-death experience visions and experiences.in Study of advanced Buddhist meditatorsthey were able to induce that experience without causing fear of death.

However, these were monks with over 20 years of experience in the world of meditation, who frequently meditated for hours on end. Buddhist monks have also had near-death experiences and even claim to be able to understand the emotions that accompany a near-death experience.

Unfortunately, outside of meditation, that experience is difficult to force. In most cases, the fear of dying is so strong that the experience is triggered. If you don’t meditate throughout your life, you’ll either really die or think you’re going to die…Maybe meditation is the best way to go after all.

read more:

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Dating Apps Accused of Promoting Addiction in Lawsuit Against Tinder, Hinge, and Match

Posted on February 17, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Many of us have had the negative experience of being swiped left, ghosted, breadcrumbed, or benched on internet dating apps. On Valentine’s Day, six dating app users filed a proposed class action lawsuit alleging that Tinder, Hinge, and other Match dating apps use addictive game-like features to encourage compulsive use. The lawsuit claims that Match’s app “employs perceived dopamine-manipulating product features” that turn users into “trapped gamblers seeking psychological rewards,” resulting in expensive subscriptions and persistent usage.

The lawsuit was met with skepticism by some, but online dating experts say it reflects a wider criticism of the way apps gamify human experiences for profit. The addiction may have been built into dating apps from the beginning, with the swipe mechanism, invented by Tinder co-founder Jonathan Badeen, being compared to an experiment with pigeons that aimed to manipulate the brain’s reward system.

The game-like elements of dating apps are further exemplified in the Trump-style interface first used by Tinder, leading some experts to believe that dating apps are encouraging negative behaviors and making people feel manipulated. A study suggested that couples who met online are slightly more likely to have lower marital satisfaction and stability. Dating apps also appear to encourage “bad behavior such as ghosting, breadcrumbing, and backburner relationships,” according to some researchers.

However, dating apps have also been criticized for perpetuating idealized preferences for particular ethnicities, age groups, and body types, ultimately reproducing privilege. While dating apps widen the range of potential partners in theory, endless access to romantic possibilities has been shown to have negative effects on mental health, leading some experts to advocate for transparency around matching algorithms and education about the pitfalls of online dating.

Despite criticisms, a Match Group spokesperson dismissed the lawsuit, stating that the business model is not based on advertising or engagement metrics, and that the goal is to avoid addictive use of the app. They believe that the plaintiffs are pointing to a systemic problem in the dating app ecosystem.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Ancient bone beads discovered in Wyoming date back 12,940 years

Posted on February 17, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Archaeologists have discovered ancient tubular beads made from hare bone at the La Prele mammoth site in Wyoming, USA. This is the oldest bead discovered in the Western Hemisphere.

La Prele bone beads. Polished end (top) and side view with notch (bottom). Image credit: Surovell other., doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-53390-9.

“The manufacture and use of personal ornaments, most commonly beads, is an important indicator of the increasing cultural and social complexity of humans during the Paleolithic period, first appearing in the Middle Stone Age of Africa. It then appeared in the Early Upper Paleolithic of Eurasia,” says the University of Wisconsin. Wyoming Professor Todd Surovell and his colleagues.

“Beads are not well documented from early archaeological contexts in the Americas, but some examples have been reported from Paleoindian regions, where the first immigrants to the Western Hemisphere used beads on their bodies and clothing. It shows that he created and used personal ornaments to decorate his home.”

Archaeologists examined ancient tubular beads from an active area centered around a hearth at the La Prele Mammoth ruins in Converse County, Wyoming, USA.

“The La Prele Mammoth Site is an early Paleoindian site located along La Prele Creek near its confluence with the North Platte River in Converse County, Wyoming,” they said.

“Test excavations in 1987 revealed an association between the chipped stone remains and the partial remains of a subadult.” Colombian mammoth (mammoth colombi)Subsequent excavations revealed that a nearby campsite preserved active areas centered around multiple hearths. ”

“The occupied surface was filled with low-energy dyke deposits, and based on an average of five radiocarbon dates of the bones, occupation occurred 12,941 years ago.”

The length of the beads is small, about 7mm. The inner diameter averages 1.6 mm and the outer diameter averages 2.9 mm.

“Two deep parallel grooves with a U-shaped cross section develop on the surface of the bead aligned perpendicular to the long axis,” the researchers said.

“Similar grooves also occur on Paleolithic and Archaic tubular bone beads, although it is unclear whether these notches are a byproduct of manufacturing, skinning, abrasion, or perhaps decoration. It's very smooth and polished.”

“The beads are lightly coated with red ocher, but the presence of ocher on the surface may be coincidental since they were recovered from a sediment contaminated with powdered hematite.”

To determine the origin of the beads, scientists extracted collagen for zooarchaeology by mass spectrometry, also known as ZooMS. This allowed us to gain insight into the chemical composition of bone.

Researchers believe that the beads are attached to either the metatarsals (the bones that connect the phalanges of the fingers to the more proximal bones of the limbs) or the proximal phalanges (the bones found in the fingers and toes of humans and other vertebrates). I concluded that it was made from either. rabbit.

The discovery provides the first solid evidence of the use of hares in BC. Clovis periodspecifically refers to the prehistoric period of North America, about 12,000 years ago.

“We also considered the possibility that the beads were the result of consumption and digestion by carnivores and were not produced by humans,” the authors said.

“However, carnivores are not common at this site, and the artifacts were recovered one meter away from a densely scattered area of other cultural materials.”

“Additionally, the grooves on the outside of the beads are consistent with those made by humans with stones and teeth.”

“Such beads may have been used to decorate their bodies or clothing.”

of findings It was published in the magazine scientific report.

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TA Slovel other. 2024. Rabbit bones are used to make Clovis beads. science officer 14/2937. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-53390-9

Source: www.sci.news

SOFIA’s discovery of molecular water on a seemingly dry asteroid

Posted on February 17, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Astronomers used the FORCAST instrument on NASA's retired Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) to obtain mid-infrared spectra of four S-type (silicate-rich) asteroids: Iris, Partenope, Melpomene, and Massalia. Did. They detected features on two of her asteroids, Iris and Massalia, that could clearly be attributed to water molecules.

Arredondo other. Using his FORCAST instrument at NASA's SOFIA Observatory, he observed four silicate-rich asteroids and found mid-infrared spectral signatures indicating molecular water on two of them, Iris and Massalia. Separated. Image credit: NASA/Carla Thomas/Southwest Research Institute.

“Asteroids are leftovers from the planet-forming process, so their composition varies depending on where in the solar nebula they form,” said Dr. Anisia Arredondo, a planetary researcher at the Southwest Research Institute.

“Of particular interest is the distribution of water on the asteroid, as it may reveal how water was delivered to Earth.”

Anhydrous, or dry, silicate asteroids form close to the Sun, and icy material coalesces farther away.

Understanding the location of asteroids and their composition can help us understand how material within the solar nebula has been distributed and evolved since its formation.

The distribution of water in our solar system provides insight into the distribution of water in other planetary systems, and because water is necessary for all life on Earth, there is potential both within and outside the solar system. You will decide where to look for natural life.

“We detected features on the asteroids Iris and Massalia that are clearly attributable to water molecules,” Arredondo said.

“We are building on the success of the team that discovered water molecules on the moon's sunlit surface.”

“We thought we could use SOFIA to find this spectral feature in other objects.”

Sofia detected water molecules in one of the largest craters in the moon's southern hemisphere.

Previous observations of both the Moon and the asteroid have detected some types of hydrogen, but have not been able to distinguish between water and its chemical cousin hydroxyl.

Scientists found that in the cubic meters of soil spread across the moon's surface, there is approximately the equivalent of a 12-ounce (355 ml) bottle of water trapped chemically bonded to minerals.

“Based on the band intensities of the spectral features, the water abundance on the asteroid matches the water abundance on the sunlit moon,” Arredondo said.

“Similarly, in asteroids, water not only binds to minerals, but also adsorbs to silicates and can become trapped or dissolved in silicate impact glass.”

Data from two fainter asteroids, Partenope and Melpomene, were too noisy to draw definitive conclusions.

The FORCAST instrument appears not to be sensitive enough to detect the spectral signature of water, if it exists.

But with these discoveries, researchers are calling on NASA/ESA/CSA's James Webb Space Telescope to take advantage of its precise optics and superior signal-to-noise ratio to investigate more targets. I am requesting you to do so.

“We conducted initial measurements of two more asteroids with Mr. Webb during Cycle 2,” said Dr. Arredondo.

“We are making another proposal to consider 30 more goals in the next cycle.”

“These studies will improve our understanding of the distribution of water in the solar system.”

of study Published in Planetary Science Journal.

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Anisia Arredondo other. 2024. Molecular H2O is detected on a nominally anhydrous asteroid. planet. Science. J 5, 37; doi: 10.3847/PSJ/ad18b8

Source: www.sci.news

China discovers new species of titanosaurus

Posted on February 17, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Chinese paleontologists have discovered fossil fragments of a new genus and species of titanosaurus, a sauropod dinosaur that walked the Earth during the Cretaceous period.

rebuilding the life of Jancitan ganjouensis. Image credit: UnexpectedDinoLesson / Sci.News.

Muttjac titanum ganjoensis They lived in what is now China from 72 million years ago to 66 million years ago (late Cretaceous period).

The partial skeleton of this dinosaur was discovered in the Nanxiong Formation near Tankou Town, Ganzhou City, Jiangxi Province, China.

The specimen consists of seven cervical and anterior dorsal vertebrae, and several cervical and dorsal ribs.

Muttjac titanum ganjoensis belongs to the sauropod dinosaur group titanosauridae.

“Muttjac titanum ganjoensis It is unique among Asian titanosaurids in that it has a deeply bifurcated dorsal neck and anterodorsal neural spines, and a dorsoventrally compressed dorsal neck and anterodorsal center. Lead author Jin Yu Mo of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Natural History Museum and colleagues state in the paper. .

Muttjac titanum ganjoensis represents the second sauropod species. Nanyu Formation.

“The Late Cretaceous Nanxiong Formation is represented by an extensive succession of red mudstones, sandstones, and conglomerates,” the paleontologists wrote.

“Recent years have produced a wide variety of vertebrates, including theropods, ornithopods, crocodiles, turtles, lizards, and mammals, as well as vast numbers of dinosaur eggs.”

“There is only one species of sauropod, Ganansaurus sinensisrecorded in this area.

Team analysis points Muttjac titanum ganjoensis Within a group of deeply nested titanosaurs Rogoncosauria.

“Muttjac titanum ganjoensis Display features that indicate branch locations later than Ganansaurus sinensismore specifically, Muttjac titanum ganjoensis It was recovered as Rogoncosaurus, but Ganansaurus sinensis as titanosaurs outside of a late-branching clade containing Diamantina Sauria and lithostorozia” the researchers wrote.

“As a result, Muttjac titanum ganjoensis There are no duplicate elements with Ganansaurus sinensiswe are confident. Muttjac titanum ganjoensis is a different species from Ganansaurus sinensis”

The discovery of Muttjac titanum ganjoensis “This indicates the presence of both early-divergent and late-divergent titanosauroid sauropods in the Late Cretaceous Ganzhou dinosaur fauna,” the researchers added.

“This discovery also increases the diversity of titanosaurs from the Late Cretaceous of Asia.”

of the team paper It was published in the magazine historical biology.

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Mo Jin Yoo other. A new species of titanosaur sauropod excavated from the Late Cretaceous period in Jiangxi Province, southern China. historical biology, published online on September 23, 2024. doi: 10.1080/08912963.2023.2259413

Source: www.sci.news

Physicists witness real-time movement of electrons in liquid water for the first time

Posted on February 17, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

A research team led by physicists at Argonne National Laboratory isolated the energetic motion of electrons while “freezing” the motion of the much larger atoms they orbit in a sample of liquid water.

Shuai other. Synchronized attosecond X-ray pulse pairs (pictured here in pink and green) from an X-ray free electron laser were used to study the energetic response of electrons (gold) in liquid water on the attosecond time scale. On the other hand, hydrogen (white) and oxygen (red) atoms are “frozen” over time. Image credit: Nathan Johnson, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.

“The radiation-induced chemical reactions we want to study are the result of targeted electronic reactions that occur on the attosecond time scale,” said lead author of the study, Professor Linda Young, a researcher at Argonne National Laboratory. said.

Professor Young and colleagues combined experiment and theory to reveal the effects of ionizing radiation from an X-ray source when it hits material in real time.

Addressing the timescales over which actions occur will provide a deeper understanding of the complex radiation-induced chemistry.

In fact, researchers originally came together to develop the tools needed to understand the effects of long-term exposure to ionizing radiation on chemicals found in nuclear waste.

“Attosecond time-resolved experiments are one of the major R&D developments in linac coherent light sources,” said study co-author Dr. Ago Marinelli, a researcher at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory.

“It's exciting to see these developments applied to new types of experiments and moving attosecond science in new directions.”

Scientists have developed a technique called X-ray attosecond transient absorption spectroscopy in liquids that allows them to “watch” electrons energized by X-rays move into an excited state before larger nuclei move on. “We were able to.

“In principle, we have tools that allow us to track the movement of electrons and watch newly ionized molecules form in real time,” Professor Young said.

The discovery resolves a long-standing scientific debate about whether the X-ray signals observed in previous experiments are the result of different structural shapes or motifs in the mechanics of water or hydrogen atoms.

These experiments conclusively demonstrate that these signals are not evidence of two structural motifs in the surrounding liquid water.

“Essentially, what people were seeing in previous experiments was a blur caused by the movement of hydrogen atoms,” Professor Young explained.

“By recording everything before the atoms moved, we were able to eliminate that movement.”

To make this discovery, the authors used a technique developed at SLAC to spray an ultrathin sheet of pure water across the pulse path of an X-ray pump.

“We needed a clean, flat, thin sheet of water that could focus the X-rays,” said study co-author Dr. Emily Nienhaus, a chemist at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.

Once the X-ray data was collected, the researchers applied their knowledge of interpreting X-ray signals to recreate the signals observed at SLAC.

They modeled the response of liquid water to attosecond X-rays and verified that the observed signal was indeed confined to the attosecond timescale.

“Using the Hyak supercomputer, we developed cutting-edge computational chemistry techniques that enable detailed characterization of transient high-energy quantum states in water,” study co-authors from the University of Washington said Xiaosong Li, a researcher at Pacific Northwest National University. Laboratory.

“This methodological breakthrough represents a pivotal advance in our quantum-level understanding of ultrafast chemical transformations, with extraordinary precision and atomic-level detail.”

The team worked together to peer into the real-time movement of electrons in liquid water.

“The methodology we have developed enables the study of the origin and evolution of reactive species produced by radiation-induced processes encountered in space travel, cancer treatment, nuclear reactors, legacy waste, etc.,” Professor Young said. Stated.

The team's results were published in a magazine science.

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L. Shuai other. 2024. Attosecond Pump Attosecond Probe X-ray Spectroscopy of Liquid Water. science, published online on February 15, 2024. doi: 10.1126/science.adn6059

Source: www.sci.news

Webb uncovers massive inactive galaxy with mature stars in the ancient cosmos

Posted on February 17, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

The formation of galaxies through the stepwise hierarchical coassembly of baryons and cold dark matter halos is a fundamental paradigm underpinning modern astrophysics and predicts a significant decline in the number of giant galaxies in the early Universe. . Very massive quiescent galaxies have been observed 1 to 2 billion years after the Big Bang. These form between 300 million and 500 million years ago and are very limiting for theoretical models, as only some models can form massive galaxies this early. The spectrum of newly discovered quiescent galaxy ZF-UDS-7329 reveals features typical of much older stellar populations. Detailed modeling shows that the stellar population formed about 1.5 billion years ago, when dark matter halos with sufficient host mass had not yet assembled in the standard scenario. This observation may indicate the existence of an undetected early population of galaxies and potentially large gaps in our understanding of the nature of early stellar populations, galaxy formation, and/or dark matter.

This web image shows ZF-UDS-7329, a rare massive galaxy that formed very early in the universe. Image credit: Glazebrook other., doi: 10.1038/s41586-024-07191-9.

Galaxy formation is a fundamental paradigm underpinning modern astrophysics, and a significant decrease in the number of massive galaxies in the early universe is predicted.

Very large quiescent galaxies have been observed 1 to 2 billion years after the Big Bang, casting doubt on previous theoretical models.

Professor Carl Glazebrook, from Swinburne University of Technology, said: “We have been tracking this galaxy for seven years, observing it for hours with two of the largest telescopes on Earth to find out its age.” Ta.

“But it was too red and too faint to be measured. In the end, we had to go outside Earth and use the web to see its properties.”

“This was truly a team effort, from the infrared sky survey that began in 2010 to identifying this galaxy as an anomaly, and the many hours spent with the Keck Telescope and the Very Large Telescope. But we couldn’t confirm it, and finally, last year, we spent a lot of effort trying to figure out how to process the web data and analyze this spectrum.”

“We are now beyond the realm of possibility to have identified the oldest giant stationary monster deep in the universe,” said Dr Temmiya Nanayakkara, an astronomer at Swinburne University of Technology.

“This pushes the limits of our current understanding of how galaxies form and evolve.”

“The key question now is how do stars form so quickly, so early in the universe, and how do they form at a time when other parts of the universe are forming stars? “What kind of mysterious mechanism could cause it to suddenly stop forming?”

“Galaxy formation is determined primarily by how dark matter is concentrated.”

“The presence of these extremely massive galaxies in the early universe poses significant challenges to our standard model of cosmology.”

“This is because dark matter structures large enough to accommodate these massive galaxies are unlikely to have formed yet.”

“More observations are needed to help us understand how common these galaxies are and how massive they really are.”

“This could open new doors in our understanding of the physics of dark matter,” Professor Glazebrook said.

“Webb continues to discover evidence that massive galaxies form early.”

“This result sets a new record for this phenomenon. It’s very impressive, but it’s just one object. But we want to discover more. If I If we were to do this, it would seriously disrupt our understanding of galaxy formation.”

This finding is reported in the following article: paper Published in this week’s magazine Nature.

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K. Glazebrook other. A huge galaxy that formed stars at z ~ 11. Nature, published online on February 14, 2024. doi: 10.1038/s41586-024-07191-9

Source: www.sci.news

Security Concerns Raised by the Realism of OpenAI’s Sora Video Generator

Posted on February 17, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

AI program Sora generated this video featuring an android based on text prompts

Sora/OpenAI

OpenAI has announced a program called Sora, a state-of-the-art artificial intelligence system that can turn text descriptions into photo-realistic videos. This video generation model has added to excitement over advances in AI technology, along with growing concerns about how synthetic deepfake videos will exacerbate misinformation and disinformation during a critical election year around the world. I am.

Sora AI models can currently create videos up to 60 seconds using text instructions alone or a combination of text and images. One demonstration video begins with a text prompt describing a “stylish woman walking down a Tokyo street filled with warmly glowing neon lights and animated city signs.” Other examples include more fantastical scenarios such as dogs frolicking in the snow, vehicles driving down the road, and sharks swimming through the air between city skyscrapers.

“Like other technologies in generative AI, there is no reason to believe that text-to-video conversion will not continue to advance rapidly. We are increasingly approaching a time when it will be difficult to tell the fake from the real.” Honey Farid at the University of California, Berkeley. “Combining this technology with AI-powered voice cloning could open up entirely new ground in terms of creating deepfakes of things people say and do that they have never actually done.”

Sora is based on some of OpenAI's existing technologies, including the image generator DALL-E and the GPT large language model. Although his text-to-video AI models lag somewhat behind other technologies in terms of realism and accessibility, Sora's demonstrations are “orders of magnitude more believable and cartoon-like” than previous ones. “It's less sticky,” he said. Rachel TobackHe is the co-founder of SocialProof Security, a white hat hacking organization focused on social engineering.

To achieve this higher level of realism, Sora combines two different AI approaches. The first is a diffusion model similar to those used in AI image generators such as DALL-E. These models learn to gradually transform randomized image pixels into a consistent image. The second of his AI techniques is called “Transformer Architecture” and is used to contextualize and stitch together continuous data. For example, large-scale language models use transformer architectures to assemble words into commonly understandable sentences. In this case, OpenAI split the video clip into visual “space-time patches” that Sora's transformer architecture could process.

Sora's video still contains many mistakes, such as a walking person's left and right feet swapping positions, a chair floating randomly in the air, and a chewed cookie magically leaving no bite marks. contained. still, jim fanThe senior research scientist at NVIDIA praised Sora on social media platform X as a “data-driven physics engine” that can simulate the world.

The fact that Sola's video still exhibits some strange glitches when depicting complex scenes with lots of movement suggests that such deepfake videos are still detectable for now. There is, he says. Arvind Narayanan at Princeton University. But he also warned that in the long term, “we need to find other ways to adapt as a society.”

OpenAI has been holding off on making Sora publicly available while it conducts “red team” exercises in which experts attempt to break safeguards in AI models to assess Sora's potential for abuse. An OpenAI spokesperson said the select group currently testing Sora are “experts in areas such as misinformation, hateful content, and bias.”

This test is very important. Because synthetic videos allow malicious actors to generate fake footage, for example, to harass someone or sway a political election. Misinformation and disinformation fueled by AI-generated deepfakes ranks as a major concern For leaders as well as in academia, business, government, and other fields. For AI experts.

“Sora is fully capable of creating videos that have the potential to deceive the public,” Tobac said. “Videos don't have to be perfect to be trustworthy, as many people still don't understand that videos can be manipulated as easily as photos.”

Toback said AI companies will need to work with social media networks and governments to combat the massive misinformation and disinformation that could arise after Sora is released to the public. Defenses could include implementing unique identifiers, or “watermarks,” for AI-generated content.

When asked if OpenAI has plans to make Sora more widely available in 2024, an OpenAI spokesperson said the company “will make Sora more widely available in OpenAI's products.” We are taking important safety measures.” For example, the company already uses automated processes aimed at preventing commercial AI models from producing extreme violence, sexual content, hateful images, and depictions of real politicians and celebrities. .With more people than ever before Participate in elections this yearthese safety measures are extremely important.

topic:

artificial intelligence/
video

Source: www.newscientist.com

Research: Daily consumption of 100% orange juice reduces blood sugar levels compared to orange drink

Posted on February 17, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

A new study from Toronto Metropolitan University says 100% orange juice and sugar-sweetened beverages are not equivalent when it comes to their effects on food intake and blood sugar response, and should not be placed in the same category when making beverage decisions.

Consuming 100% orange juice before a meal reduces food intake at the next meal and lowers daily blood glucose concentrations in healthy, normal weight adults when compared to orange drink.

The World Health Organization suggests reducing free sugar intake to no more than 10% of daily energy intake to reduce the risk of unhealthy weight and tooth decay.

Consistent with these recommendations, some national dietary guidelines recommend reducing sugar intake from all sources.

However, these recommendations do not differentiate between sources of free sugars and are primarily based on data from observational studies, so the physiological mechanisms underlying the observed effects cannot be readily determined.

“Our findings highlight the importance of considering the source of sugar when considering overall health effects,” said Dr. Nick Bellissimo of Toronto Metropolitan University, senior author of the study. I am emphasizing that.”

The randomized, repeated measures study included 36 adult men and women with normal BMI levels who received 1 cup of 100% orange juice, orange flavored, 2 hours after a breakfast consisting of cereal, 2% milk, and 2% milk. Ingested sugar-sweetened beverages and water. Breakfast bar.

Blood sugar responses, average appetite, and subjective emotions were measured every 15 minutes for 60 minutes in 34 participants.

Glycemic responses and energy intake for the rest of the day were measured in 31 participants using continuous blood glucose monitors and food records.

Subjective sweetness and pleasantness were measured immediately after ingesting the test beverage.

Glycemic responses, average appetite, and subjective emotions were measured every 15 minutes for 60 minutes.

Food intake was measured 60 minutes after the pizza lunch.

Blood sugar levels were lower with 100% orange juice than with orange drink at 15, 30, and 45 minutes, but not after 60 minutes.

Blood sugar levels for the rest of the day were lower after drinking 100% orange juice compared to drinking orange or water.

The findings also showed that food intake at lunch and throughout the day was lower after consuming 100% orange juice compared to consuming orange drink.

Participants also had higher subjective comfort measures and enjoyed 100% orange juice more compared to orange beverages and water.

Using 100% orange juice instead of sugary drinks may reduce your total daily calorie intake and help regulate blood sugar levels.

100% orange juice contains flavonoids such as hesperidin, which can affect sugar absorption by slowing glucose transport, causing a delayed blood sugar response.

Consumption of 100% orange juice is associated with increased flavonoid intake, decreased added sugar, and higher quality diet.

The researchers said, “Consumption of 100% orange juice as a preload resulted in higher caloric compensation, lower total daily energy intake, and lower blood glucose concentrations compared to orange beverages.”

“Future longitudinal studies are needed to assess whether the habit of replacing sugar-sweetened beverages with 100% orange juice contributes to a healthier body weight and improved glycemic control.”

of paper It was published in the magazine nutrients.

_____

Stephanie Robayo other. 2024. Effects of her 100% orange juice and moderate sugar-sweetened beverages on subjective appetite, food intake, and glycemic responses in adults. nutrients 16 (2): 242; doi: 10.3390/nu16020242

Source: www.sci.news

Starch-based super thickeners lower calorie and carbohydrate content in food

Posted on February 17, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Starch is a component of wheat flour and is used as a thickening agent in cooking.

Victor Fischer/Alamy

Making small sheets or cages from starch particles turns them into super-thickeners, which can reduce the calorie content of food.

Starches are often added to foods such as soups to thicken them, but this increases their calorie and carbohydrate content. now, lee peiron Researchers at Cornell University in New York have discovered that by arranging starch particles into special shapes, they can reduce the amount of starch in foods without sacrificing texture.

Starch particles expand when heated, which thickens the food. This means that the particles get stuck together and there is less room for the liquid components of the dish to flow freely. The researchers wondered if they could recreate this effect while reducing the amount needed by hollowing out starch blocks. “But you can't carve starch grains like pumpkins,” says Lee.

Instead, he and his colleagues devised a method that uses starch particles extracted from amaranth grains and assembles them into three-dimensional shapes by mixing them with water and oil. Starch particles were placed around the oil droplets, and the researchers used a combination of heating and freeze-drying to remove the two liquids. This left only starchy structures, some shaped like cages with a hollow center, others like sheets stacked on top of each other so that the liquid was trapped between them.

The research team discovered that these starch structures are so good as thickeners that they can halve the amount of starch typically needed to thicken foods.

Fan Zhu Researchers at the University of Auckland in New Zealand say the use of these granules as building blocks for a new class of hollow starch structures is so innovative that starches could become a big part of future food design. It has said. However, Zhu said amaranth starch is expensive and difficult to source in large quantities, so it would be advantageous to apply the new method to more affordable and abundant starches, such as starch made from corn. says. “And more research is needed into what happens when you put these kinds of structures in your mouth,” he says.

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Container Ship Trials New System to Capture Its Own CO2 Emissions

Posted on February 16, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Approximately 3% of all carbon emissions come from shipping

green oak/shutterstock

A container ship with a total length of 240 meters. sounion trader recently completed testing its onboard carbon capture system while cruising around the Persian Gulf. The ship has space to hold tons of carbon dioxide, joining a small but growing number of ships seeking to reduce their impact on climate change by capturing and storing carbon dioxide emissions onboard. is difficult to find.

“We're miniaturizing systems that were designed for huge power plants,” he says. Louja Wen Seabound, a UK-based startup that is helping test run Sounion Trader.

Shipping accounts for approximately 3% of global CO2 emissions. To reduce it, shippers are using cleaner fuels, painting their hulls with foam to improve fuel efficiency, and even going back to sail. However, short-term options for achieving the industry's commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050 are limited.

Another possibility is to capture ship emissions. keep on board, but faces major obstacles. One is to provide energy to recharge the chemical adsorbents used to absorb CO2. tristan smith Researchers at University College London say some existing systems increase fuel use by a third just to capture half of the CO2 emissions.

The system, and the carbon it captures, also takes up space on the ship that would normally be used for valuable cargo. “Space is an issue,” he says. jasper ross At the Dutch research institute TNO. “Especially when you're talking about long voyages.” About three tonnes of CO2 is produced for every tonne of fuel burned. George Malupas At the Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute. Once captured and stored, the added mass can affect the ship's stability and reduce fuel efficiency.

Wen said Seabound's small-scale tests captured about 1 tonne of CO2 per day. Although this is only a fraction of the ship's overall emissions, a full-scale system could capture as much as 95 percent of the ship's CO2, she says.

To save energy, Seabound moves some of its processes onshore. On ships, the exhaust air passes through a calcium oxide adsorbent and reacts with CO2 to form solid calcium carbonate pebbles. The company will then wait to refill the adsorbent until the pebbles are offloaded at the port for permanent storage. The tradeoff is space. Seabound's approach means the ship must carry tanks of sorbent with every ton of her CO2 captured. Still, Wen said the company aims to retrofit 1,000 ships for carbon capture by 2030.

Dutch company Value Maritime has taken a similar approach, using liquid amine adsorbents to capture carbon dioxide and refill it offshore. Yvette van der Sonmen Value Maritime says 26 ships are currently using its system in parallel with existing sulfur pollution scrubbers to capture up to 40 percent of CO2 in their exhaust, but the process is still being managed by third parties. Not certified by She said the company sells some of the captured CO2 to greenhouses to use as fertilizer for plants, but much of it remains in tanks at the port.

Such systems may now look attractive for reducing emissions, Smith says. However, the rapid scale-up of cleaner transportation fuels could quickly make them obsolete unless very high recovery rates can be achieved at sufficiently low costs. “The shipping industry currently has a very short window to decarbonize, because it has been very slow to start decarbonizing,” he says.

Source: www.newscientist.com

First genetically modified banana approved by regulatory authorities

Posted on February 16, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Most banana plants are vulnerable to the fungal disease TR4

Ann Clark/iStockphoto/Getty Images

For the first time, genetically modified bananas have been approved for cultivation on farms. Regulators in Australia and New Zealand have given the green light to a Cavendish banana variety engineered to be resistant to a devastating fungal disease that is widespread in many countries around the world.

Australian Gene Technology Regulatory Authority issues license Allow commercial growth of modified bananas February 12th.

16 February, Australian and New Zealand Food Standards Approved as food, conclude that it is as safe and nutritious as traditional bananas. The food ministers of Australia and New Zealand can request a review of the decision within the next 60 days. Otherwise, approval is final.

The first banana widely eaten in Western countries was a variety called Gros Michel. However, by the 1950s, fusarium A fungal strain called Tropical Race 1 (TR1), which causes Panama disease, has forced farmers to switch to Cavendish bananas. Although reportedly not as tasty as Gros Michel, Cavendish is highly resistant to TR1.

Now, another stock fusariumIt is called TR4 and is popular all over the world. It can kill many varieties, including Cavendish.

team led by james dale Australia's Queensland University of Technology has created a resistant strain of banana called QCAV-4 by adding genes from wild bananas.

The decision is “a very important step towards creating a global Cavendish Banana safety net with TR4, which is already impacting many parts of the world,” Dale said. statement.

Quarantine measures currently limit the spread of TR4 in Australia, with only a small number of cases occurring each year. Therefore, there are currently no plans to grow QCAV-4 bananas on a large scale or sell them to consumers.

However, other countries where TR4 is more of a problem may decide to adopt genetically modified bananas. Dale's team now plans to use CRISPR gene editing QCAV-4 to make bananas resistant to another major fungal disease called black sigatoka which could mean it's even more attractive to farmers.

A Kenyan research team has already used CRISPR to create a strain of the Gonja Manjaya variety that is free of banana streak virus, a pathogen that integrates into the banana genome.

Genetically modified (GM) crops are now widely grown in many countries around the world, but in some regions, such as the United Kingdom and the European Union, very few crops are approved for cultivation by farmers.

in australia, Only four genetically modified crops have been approved so far. These are safflower, which contains high levels of oleic acid in its oil, and herbicide-resistant rapeseed (canola), Indian mustard, and cotton varieties.

However, Australia and New Zealand have approved Wider range of GM crops and edible products Similar to the situation in the UK and the EU.

topic:

Genetic recombination/
Eating and drinking

Source: www.newscientist.com

Researchers successfully decode the genome of the elusive night parrot

Posted on February 16, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

CSIRO researchers first genome of night parrot (Pezoporus occidentalis)one of the rarest and most elusive birds in the world.

night parrot (Pezoporus occidentalis). Image credit: Arianna Urso / Western Australian Museum.

The night parrot is a relatively small, short-tailed parrot species endemic to Australia.

This species is also known as the porcupine parrot, nocturnal ground parakeet, midnight parrot, solitaire, spinifex parrot, and nocturnal parakeet. first explained It was published in 1861 by British ornithologist John Gould.

The night parrot is one of the most elusive and mysterious birds in the world, with no confirmed sightings from 1912 to 1979.

They were once widespread in the arid regions of Australia, but their numbers have declined due to environmental changes such as predation by cats and foxes.

It is now known only from localized areas in south-west Queensland and Western Australia.

“Dozens of scientific specimens were collected in the 19th century, with one specimen collected in 1912. A specimen was then discovered in south-west Queensland in 1990,” says the CSIRO Australian National Wildlife Collection. said Dr. Leo Joseph, Director.

“A live bird was reported from the same area in 2013, and a live parrot was finally captured and tagged in 2015.”

“This genome will allow us to explore the genetic basis of why parrots are nocturnal, a trait that is very rare in parrots,” he added.

“We investigate functions such as navigation, sense of smell, beak shape, and suboptimal night vision.”

“Researchers will also be able to perform statistical analysis of this individual's genome to estimate the historical population size of Australia's night parrot.”

“We can now compare this annotated genome with other closely related parrot species, revealing the reasons behind its rarity and limited distribution compared to many closely related species. You can.”

Dr Joseph and his colleagues sequenced the armyworm genome using tissue obtained from specimens found in the Pilbara region.

“Access to high-throughput sequencing technology through CSIRO's Applied Genomics Initiative is accelerating genomics research in Australia,” said Dr Gunjun Pandey, CSIRO Environment Directorate Night Parrot Genomics Project Leader.

“We can now generate very high-quality genomes from very small tissue samples, as small as an ant's head or a single mosquito.”

“This level of quality and detail was not possible even five years ago.”

“Genetic data can be used to maximize diversity in conservation programs, so species are resilient and have the best chance of long-term survival.”

The night parrot genome is an exciting scientific resource for understanding more about this bird, but protecting this species from cats, foxes, fire, and habitat loss is also important for its conservation.

“The night parrot genome will open up many opportunities for further research that will help protect this species,” Dr. Pandey said.

“This will allow scientists to develop a plan to save the night parrot, with the ultimate goal of sequencing and publishing the genome.”

Source: www.sci.news

Kadena SpireKey Teams Up with WebAuthn for Smooth Web3 Interactions: Blockchain News, Opinion, TV, Jobs

Posted on February 16, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

New York City, NY, February 16, 2024, Chainwire

Kadena SpireKey is a human-friendly and secure way to seamlessly interact with any application by eliminating complex signing processes.

Kadena Spire Key

“Unlike today’s complex Web3 wallets that require you to remember every wallet you’ve ever created, Kadena’s SpireKey uses WebAuthn, a technology developed by Google and Apple over the past 20 years, to Make digital assets securely available to anyone directly on their phone or computer. It’s as easy as receiving a prompt on your mobile device and providing your fingerprint as a signature. Family Holiday Dinner Even your uncle who asks you about cryptocurrencies every time can do it. Kadena makes the application accessible to everyone, whether you’re an experienced “degener” or someone new to blockchain. said Mike Herron, CMO of Kadena.

SpireKey creates seamless interactions between humans and technology, delivering Web2 experiences with Web3 innovations. SpireKey allows users to sign transactions and their Web3 applications, just like it works with Apple Pay and Google Pay. However, it can be run directly on the user’s device without opening multiple windows or copying and pasting key pairs, eliminating potential vulnerabilities found in traditional wallets.

Enhanced security with built-in multisig

“Multi-sig signatures built into Kadena enable an additional layer of security for SpireKey, which can only be provided through our proprietary language, Pact. With multi-signatures, SpireKey allows For example, if you’re transferring more than $10,000, you can set a parameter to require signatures from three different devices: your phone, your laptop, and your cold storage wallet. Because a malicious attacker would need access to three devices, multisig functionality reduces the risk of your account being compromised. This reduces the risk of alternative attack vectors and increases overall security. “Stuart Popejoy, co-founder and CEO of Kadena, said:

SpireKey represents how Kadena thinks about the level of usability that Web3 technology should have. At the heart of SpireKey is connecting humans and allowing them to interact with blockchain. SpireKey believes that by showing real-life examples, she can get everyone equally interested in how Spirekey can impact the world beyond her Web3. Masu.

About Kadena

Kadena is a blockchain technology protocol founded in 2017 by Stuart Popejoy and Will Martino. Kadena is the industry’s only scalable layer 1 proof-of-work (PoW) blockchain. This scalability allows Kadena to provide infrastructure-grade performance for any blockchain project. Along with Kadena’s proprietary smart contract language, Pact, Kadena’s platform provides the world with the tools and environment to turn ideas and ambitions into reality. Founded by Stuart Popejoy and William Martino, who developed JPMorgan’s first blockchain and headed the SEC’s Crypto Committee, Kadena aims to enable mass adoption of true blockchain. .

For more information, users can follow Kadena’s information. twitter | telegram | discord | YouTube

contact

Kadena Press
press@kadena.io

Source: the-blockchain.com

Enormous Stone Age hunting structure uncovered in the Baltic Sea

Posted on February 16, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

A team of German archaeologists has discovered a gigantic Stone Age structure submerged at a depth of 21 meters in the Western Baltic Sea. This structure was probably built by hunter-gatherers over 10,000 years ago and was eventually sunk about 8,500 years ago. Since then, it has remained hidden under the sea, leading to pristine preservation that has inspired research into lifestyles and territorial development in the wider region.

An artist's reconstruction of the Brinker Wall in Mecklenburg Bay, Germany. Image credit: Michał Grabowski.

The massive Stone Age structure was discovered in Mecklenburg Bay, about 10 kilometers northwest of the German coast of Relic.

The stone wall is made up of 1,673 individual stones, typically less than 1 meter in height, arranged side by side over a distance of 971 meters in a way that refutes their natural origin through glacial movement or ice-intrusion ridges.

This wall, known as the Brinker Wall, was built by hunter-gatherers who roamed the area after humans left. viserian ice sheet.

Running adjacent to the sunken shoreline of a paleo-lake (or swamp), whose youngest stage dates to 9,143 years ago, the structure was probably used for hunting. Eurasian reindeer (Langifer Tarandus).

“At that time, the population of all of Scandinavia was probably less than 5,000,” said Dr. Marcel Bradmeler, a researcher at the University of Rostock.

“One of their main food sources was herds of reindeer, which moved seasonally across sparsely vegetated post-glacial landscapes.”

“This wall was probably used to guide reindeer into the bottleneck between the adjacent shore and the wall, or into the lake, allowing Stone Age hunters to kill reindeer more easily with their weapons. Ta.”

Form of a southwest to northeast oriented ridge with a blinker wall and adjacent mounds.Image credit: Geersen et al. everyone, doi: 10.1073/pnas.2312008121.

The Brinker Wall is one of the oldest recorded man-made hunting structures on Earth and one of the largest known Stone Age structures in Europe.

Dr Jacob Geersen, also from the University of Rostock, said: “Our research shows that the natural origin of the submarine stone walls or modern constructions associated with, for example, the laying of submarine cables or stone extraction is unlikely. ” he said. .

“The orderly arrangement of many small stones connecting large, immovable rocks opposes this.”

The researchers used modern geophysical methods to create detailed 3D models of the Brinker Wall and reconstruct the ancient landscape.

A team of scientific divers from the University of Rostock and the West Pomeranian Mecklenburg State Department of Culture and Monuments also visited the site once and inspected it.

The main purpose of the dive was to assess the nature of the stone wall and investigate possible archaeological remains on the surrounding seabed.

They concentrated in two places: the western edge of the structure and the large stone in the center where the blinker wall turns.

No artifacts or dateable organic material were found in the immediate vicinity of the two dive sites, but a small wood sample was recovered from Holocene deposits approximately 10 m south of the structure.

3D model of the section of blinker wall adjacent to the large boulder at the west end of the wall. The photo was taken by Philip Huy of the University of Rostock. The scale bar at the top right corner of the image is 50 cm. Image credit: Geersen other., doi: 10.1073/pnas.2312008121.

“A number of well-preserved Stone Age sites are known along the coast of Wismar Bay and Mecklenburg-West Pomerania, but these are located at much shallower depths, and most of them are Mesolithic and Neolithic. It dates from the Stone Age (7,000-2,500 BC),” said Dr. Jens Auer, a researcher at the Mecklenburg-West Pomeranian Department for the Preservation of Cultural Monuments.

“There is evidence that similar stone walls exist in other parts of Mecklenburg Bay. These will also be investigated systematically,” added Dr. Jens Schneider von Daimling, a researcher at the University of Kiel.

“Overall, this research could make a significant contribution to understanding the lives, organization, and hunting methods of early Stone Age hunter-gatherers.”

team's paper Published in this week's Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

_____

Jacob Giesen other. 2024. Submerged Stone Age hunting architecture in the Western Baltic Sea. PNAS 121 (8): e2312008121; doi: 10.1073/pnas.2312008121

Source: www.sci.news

Binary System of Free-Floating Planet-Mass Objects Discovered by Astronomers

Posted on February 16, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

The JuMBO 24 binary system resides in the Orion Nebula, a diffuse nebula located approximately 1,350 light-years away in the constellation Orion.

Free-floating Jupiter-mass binary objects are common, even if current stellar and planetary theory cannot explain their existence. Image credit: Gemini Observatory / Jon Lomberg.

Professor Luis Rodriguez of the National Autonomous University of Mexico and his colleagues said, “Near-infrared surveys of the interior of the Orion Nebula and the Trapezoid Cluster using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) revealed 40 Jupiter-mass binary objects (JuMBOs) and 2 triple objects. were detected.” .

“These systems are not associated with stars, their component masses range from 0.6 to 14 times the mass of Jupiter, and their distances in the plane of the sky range from 28 to 384 AU. It’s between.”

“The existence of these widespread binaries is surprising because our current knowledge of star and planet formation cannot explain them.”

Using NSF's Carl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA), astronomers searched for the equivalent of 40 JuMBOs.

Surprisingly, only one of these objects, JuMBO 24, displayed a radio.

The radio brightness of the two planetary mass objects in this system is significantly higher than that detected in the brown dwarf.

This anomaly raises new questions and provides exciting research opportunities to further understand the nature of these free-floating planets.

While it's possible that the link between the infrared and radio signals is a coincidence, the researchers believe this is extremely unlikely, only 1 in 10,000.

“What's really remarkable is that these objects may have moons similar to Europa and Enceladus, both of which have underground oceans of liquid water that can support life,” Professor Rodriguez said. Told.

“The detection of radio waves emanating from both components of a dual system of free-floating planets represents an important milestone in our space exploration.”

“It also provides an exciting opportunity for further research into the potential habitability of planets beyond our solar system.”

of study Published in Astrophysics Journal Letter.

_____

Luis F. Rodriguez other. 2024. The radio counterpart of the Jupiter-mass binary object in Orion. APJL 960, L14; doi: 10.3847/2041-8213/ad18ac

Source: www.sci.news

The Genius Behind a Game: How a Developer Earned £250,000 in Just 30 Minutes

Posted on February 16, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Game development is an expensive and time-consuming business. Currently, he has 2,000 people working in 18 studios around the world on the next installment of Ubisoft’s blockbuster Assassin’s Creed series, a project that will take two to three years. Last year, the self-taught programmer learned that he earned nearly £280,000 for a series of games he made sitting in his two-bedroom flat in Harlesden, pants on, on a hot day. Imagine how people would feel. And each one took about 30 minutes.

“The first one probably took seven to eight hours, to be honest,” TJ Gardner says. “But later pieces, like ‘Stroke the Beaver,’ would take about 30 minutes.”

Gardner is the author of the “Stroke” video game, which can be downloaded from the PlayStation Store for £3.29 each. Each features different animals such as cats, dogs, and hamsters, as well as less cute creatures such as snakes and fish, and all follow the same blueprint.

When you start the game, you will see images of animals on a plain blue background. In the upper left corner of the screen you will see the words “Stroke 0”. Press X to pet the animal. The animal blinks briefly. The number in the corner increases by one. After 25 strokes, you will be awarded a bronze trophy. If you keep going until you reach 2,000 strokes, you’ll earn the Platinum award.

“This is still a video game.” “Stroke the Beaver.” Photo: TJ Gardner

That’s all. There are no animations. There are no sound effects. Just pictures of animals under Wikipedia’s Creative Commons license and his lo-fi acoustic beats looping endlessly in the background. No running, no jumping, no guns, no bad guys, no special moves, no power-ups, no puzzles. Is Stroke Game a video game at all?

“It depends on how you define ‘game,'” Gardner says. “There is interaction. Sure, that interaction is very limited, but it’s there and there is a goal. I’m willing to admit that it’s not difficult and it’s not complicated, but it’s still video It’s a game.”

Looking at the numbers Mr. Gardner provided, perhaps that might not be a problem, at least for his bank managers. Since its launch in September 2022, the Stroke game has been downloaded over 120,000 times and generated sales of over £275,000. He will receive a 30% cut from Sony hosting the game on his PlayStation Store, leaving Mr Gardner with his pre-tax profit of more than £190,000.

People don’t buy these titles for addictive gameplay, engaging stories, or dizzying visuals. So what’s its appeal?

It all started in the mid-2000s, when console manufacturers started awarding virtual accolades to players who completed additional in-game goals. These are called achievements on Xbox and trophies on PlayStation. A new subculture was born, established by a community of gamers who played for the prize rather than the fun. They are known as trophy hunters. In pursuit of glory, some people will stop at nothing to play Hannah Montana: The Movie: The Game.

The PlayStation Store now has dozens of games aimed at these players. It’s a low-cost, laughably simple title that offers easy trophies in exchange for a few pounds. Gardner, who had a partner and young children to support, had recently taught himself to code (mainly from his YouTube videos and his tutorials online) and saw an opportunity.

Photo: TJ Gardner

“It was kind of tough for a young family to go paycheck to paycheck,” he says. According to Gardner, at the time anyone could apply for a game to be sold on his PlayStation Store and submit a design document outlining how it would work. “When we looked into Sony’s backend, we found that it’s actually very easy to get through quality assurance,” he says. In 2022, his first game, his Stroke the Dog, appeared on the store without any problems. “So we tried a few more, obviously using slightly different animals.”

Stroke the Hamster is a bestseller with over 11,000 downloads. Cats are his second most popular pet animal, followed – perhaps surprisingly – by turtles. But what was the inspiration behind Gardner’s epic Stroke the Beaver?

“To be honest, at one point it was like a joke to me,” he says. “I decided to see how far I could go.'' It seems quite far away. Gardner then released Stroke the Dik-Dik. “It’s an animal, right?”

Not everyone found the game interesting. Internet forums are full of posts criticizing the Trophy Hunter titles, their creators, and Sony for even allowing them to be listed on his PlayStation Store. Gardner acknowledged that Strokes’ game was shovelware, gained some defenders among his critics, and attempted to address the criticisms.

“He saw a gap and took advantage of it,” forum user the1andonly654 wrote. “Give him more power. What company wouldn’t do that?” Call of Duty, FIFA, and Assassin’s Creed are all essentially not that different. ”

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Photo: TJ Gardner

Of course, there are big differences in how much time, money, and creative effort goes into those games, and the richness of the experience they provide. But there are similarities in the business models. New installments are frequently created with the aim of exploiting existing markets. The focus is on reskinning the visuals rather than developing new ideas.

There’s an argument to be made that Gardner’s Stroke game represents a more honest trade than, say, a randomized loot box with in-game rewards. At least when he buys a Stroke game, Gardner says, “you know exactly what you’re buying.” There is nothing there to take advantage of you. Or nothing to suggest you need to buy anything else. You don’t have to buy it if you don’t want to. He didn’t have many complaints. Of the 11,105 people who bought Stroke the Hamster, he asked only 10 people to buy it. Refund.

But the critics remain, and it appears Sony is listening. Platform holder in November 2022
It is said that it started The Shovelware crackdown is threatening developers with emails sent to them to delist Trophy Hunter games and suspend their creators’ publisher accounts.

However, it’s hard to see evidence of this policy in action on the PlayStation Store, which is still full of such titles. When Gardner released Stroke the Animals, a gorgeous piece featuring 10 creatures, last December, Sony didn’t seem to mind. (“Do you like Aminares?” [sic], Read game information. “Great!” Well, there’s a lot you can stroke, so start stroking. ) Perhaps it’s not so much a mystery why Sony didn’t crack down. Thanks to his 30% cut, the company made more profits. More than £80,000 for a stroke game.

The first thing Mr. Gardner did with some of his profits was pay off his debts. Then he decided it was time to take his eyes off shovelware. “I’ve reached a stage where I’m willing to try something a little different, because even though it’s making money, it’s not money.” As you can probably imagine, it’s the most rewarding thing. ” One of his new projects is a new website.
Game achievements.net. Launching in the coming months, players will be able to track their in-game awards across multiple platforms.

So does Gardner have any regrets?

“Honestly, no,” he says. “I will never regret anything I did to help my family because I did it for them.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Photo of a polar bear snoozing on an iceberg captures attention and admiration

Posted on February 16, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Nima Sarikani/Wildlife Photographer of the Year

As midnight approaches in Svalbard, a young polar bear climbs onto an iceberg, makes himself a makeshift bed, and falls asleep. This year’s winner, Nima Sarikani, captured this peaceful moment that captures the essence of Earth’s fragility. Wildlife Photographer of the Year, People’s Choice Awarddecided by public vote.

Sarikani, from the UK, spent three days exploring Norway’s Svalbard archipelago in hopes of catching a glimpse of these iconic arctic animals. After the expedition vessel decided to change course, he was finally able to see both the older and younger males. Salikhani seized the opportunity to photograph a young bear dozing on an iceberg. This scene not only evokes the bond between animals and their habitat, but also the need to act against global challenges such as climate change and habitat loss.

These days, the sight of a lone polar bear on melting ice has become a familiar symbol of the effects of climate change. But there are good reasons for this. Global warming is affecting the Arctic particularly rapidly, where temperatures are rising three times faster than the global average. Bears are among the hardest hit, and are increasingly threatened by the loss of sea ice on which they depend for hunting and raising their young.

Salikhani is optimistic that while his shots are meant to stir the emotions of viewers, they will ultimately give polar bears hope that if they do the right thing, it’s not too late.The image will appear like this exhibition It will run until June 30th at the Natural History Museum in London, with four runners-up in the competition.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Microsoft makes strategic shift, offers Xbox games to PlayStation and Nintendo | Games industry

Posted on February 16, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Microsoft has announced that four previously exclusive Xbox games are being made available on PlayStation and Nintendo consoles. Additionally, the company plans to reveal details about the next version of its Xbox console by the end of 2024.

In a video podcast with other Xbox executives, Phil Spencer, Microsoft gaming CEO, did not reveal the names of the four games but mentioned that each is over a year old. Two of them are live service games and the other two are smaller titles. Spencer shared that his favorite games from the selection are the multiplayer pirate adventure Sea of Thieves and the musical action game Hi-Fi Rush. It has also been confirmed that the space epic Starfield from last year and the upcoming Indiana Jones game will remain exclusive to Xbox.

This move signifies a significant shift in strategy for Microsoft, focusing on increasing sales of first-party games rather than emphasizing hardware sales for Xbox. The company has faced tough competition from PlayStation ever since the original launch of Xbox in 2001.

To strengthen its gaming business, Microsoft has been actively acquiring various studios and gaming companies, such as Minecraft developer Mojang, Elder Scrolls and Fallout studio Bethesda, and Candy Crush publisher Activision Blizzard King. The acquisition process for Activision Blizzard involved extensive legal and regulatory procedures, but Microsoft is committed to making its popular games, including Call of Duty, available on other consoles.

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Sara Bond, Xbox president, reiterated that Microsoft is not planning to exit the console business. She also mentioned that the company has exciting hardware products set to be shared later this holiday season.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Google Ceases Notification of Publishers Regarding Removal of ‘Right to be Forgotten’ from Search Results

Posted on February 16, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Google will inform publishers quietly that it has removed websites from search results under Europe’s “right to be forgotten” rules, following a Swedish court ruling that the search engine applies globally. Stopped.

Previously, when an individual requested that records about them be deleted under EU data protection law, Google would notify the publisher of the original article.

Media companies, including the Guardian, are largely exempt from regulation, but links to journalistic content can be removed from databases such as search engines.

Currently, Google only notifies publishers that a URL has been removed, without providing details about what or why.

As a result, journalists are unable to identify situations in which the right to be forgotten is being misused to obscure legitimate reporting about serial offenders, hampering their ability to challenge the most serious rights violations.

A Google spokesperson said: “We have introduced a new approach to notifications following a decision by the Swedish Data Protection Authority. It came into force.”

“Although we did not agree with this decision at the time, it is binding and supports EU-wide regulatory guidance. We have therefore made strong efforts to comply with it. Ta.”

One of the changes introduced by the GDPR in 2016 was to ensure that EU national court decisions on data protection set precedent across the bloc.

A Swedish court ruled in December that notifying webmasters that search engines have removed links to their content is itself a violation of the privacy of people who have requested the right to be forgotten.

“Thus, the Administrative Court found that once Google granted the deletion of search results, the interests of individuals in privacy and effective protection of personal data generally outweighed Google’s interests. [sic] Send a message to the webmaster, concludes. according to International Association of Privacy Professionals.

Upheld a 50 million Swedish kronor (£3.8 million) fine against search engines for failing to remove URLs they were asked to remove from their lists.

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Within weeks of the first judgment in May 2014, which ruled that the right to be forgotten applied to Google, six Guardian articles were removed from the European version of the search engine.

Three of the charges related to now-retired Scottish Premier League referee Dougie McDonald, who was found to have lied about his reasons for awarding penalties in a football match in 2010. . Others included his 2002 article about a lawyer facing a fraud trial and his 2011 article about a French office worker who makes his art Post-It Notes.

Over the next five years, the search engine received about 1 million unique forgotten requests, and even though more than half were rejected, it still removed about 1.5 million unique URLs.

Source: www.theguardian.com

OpenAI Introduces Sora, a Tool that Generates Videos from Text in Real-time Using Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Posted on February 16, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

OpenAI on Thursday announced a tool that can generate videos from text prompts.

The new model, called Sora after the Japanese word for “sky,” can create up to a minute of realistic footage that follows the user’s instructions for both subject matter and style. The model can also create videos based on still images or enhance existing footage with new material, according to a company blog post.

“We teach AI to understand and simulate the physical world in motion, with the goal of training models that help people solve problems that require real-world interaction.” says the blog post.

One video included among the company’s first few examples was based on the following prompt: Movie trailer featuring the adventures of a 30-year-old astronaut wearing his red woolen knitted bike in his helmet, blue sky, salt desert, cinematic style shot on 35mm film, vibrant colors .”

The company announced that it has opened up access to Sora to several researchers and video creators. According to the company’s blog post, experts have “red-teamed” the product and implemented OpenAI’s terms of service, which prohibit “extreme violence, sexual content, hateful images, likenesses of celebrities, or the IP of others.” We will test whether there is a possibility of evasion. The company only allows limited access to researchers, visual artists and filmmakers, but CEO Sam Altman took to Twitter after the announcement to answer questions from users about a video he said was created by Sola. posted. The video contains a watermark indicating that it was created by AI.

The company debuted its still image generator Dall-E in 2021 and its generated AI chatbot ChatGPT in November 2022, quickly gaining 100 million users. His other AI companies have also debuted video generation tools, but those models could only generate a few seconds of footage that had little to do with the prompt. Google and Meta said they are developing a video generation tool, although it is not publicly available. on wednesday, announced the experiment We’ve added deeper memory to ChatGPT to remember more of your users’ chats.

OpenAI told the New York Times how much footage was used to train Sora, except that the corpus includes videos that are publicly available and licensed from copyright holders. He also did not reveal the source of the training video. The company has been sued multiple times for alleged copyright infringement in training generative AI tools that digest vast amounts of material collected from the internet and mimic the images and text contained in those datasets. .

Source: www.theguardian.com

Scientists edge closer to creating genuine one-way glass

Posted on February 16, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Scientists from Aalto University have proposed a three-dimensional metamaterial with isotropic effects in the visible spectral range.

The new metamaterial is formed by randomly oriented bimaterial nanocylinders in the host medium. Image credit: Ihar Faniayeu / Aalto University.

Unlike natural materials, metamaterials and metasurfaces can be tailored to have specific electromagnetic properties. This means scientists can create materials with desirable functionality for industrial applications.

A newly proposed metamaterial takes advantage of nonreciprocal magnetoelectric (NME) effects.

“The NME effect implies a link between specific properties of materials (magnetization and polarization) and various field components of light and other electromagnetic waves,” lead author Shadi Safaei Jaji et al. said.

Although this effect is negligible in natural materials, scientists are looking to enhance it using metamaterials and metasurfaces because of the technological possibilities it unlocks.

“So far, the NME effect has not translated into practical industrial applications,” Jazio said.

“Most of the proposed approaches only work for microwaves, not visible light, and could not be manufactured with available technology.”

“We used conventional materials and nanofabrication techniques to design an optical NME metamaterial that can be created with existing technology.”

This new material enables applications that previously required strong external magnetic fields. For example, creating a truly one-way glass.

“Glass currently sold as 'one-way' is translucent and transmits light in both directions,” says Jayge.

“If the brightness is different on both sides (for example, inside and outside the window), it acts like one-way glass.”

“However, with NME-based unidirectional glass, light can only pass in one direction, so there is no need for differences in brightness.”

“Imagine having that glass in your home, office, and car window.”

“Regardless of the brightness outside, you can't see anything inside and have a perfect view from the window.”

“If the technology is successful, this unidirectional glass could also increase the efficiency of solar cells by blocking the thermal radiation that existing cells emit toward the sun, thereby reducing the amount of energy that the cells capture. It will be done.”

of work It was published in the magazine nature communications.

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S. Safaei Jazz other. 2024. Optical Telegen metamaterial with spontaneous magnetization. Nat Commune 15, 1293; doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-45225-y

Source: www.sci.news

Review: Bose Ultra Open Earphones with Unique Open Fit and High-Quality Sound

Posted on February 16, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Bose’s latest earbuds are a big departure from previous noise-canceling champions, as they’re designed to let outside sound in instead of blocking it out and sitting in your ears, making them more than just gadgets. It also resembles jewelry.

These are the latest evolution of Bose’s open audio technology, which uses small speakers to play music without blocking your ears, and was last seen in the excellent Frames audio glasses, which have since been discontinued.

The Ultra Open Earbuds cost a hefty £300 (€349/$299), joining the ranks of smaller open earbuds such as:
£179 Shocks Open Fit Or the £149 Sony LinkBuds. However, Bose has two major advantages over his rivals. It has a great, full sound and an innovative fit that doesn’t get in the way of glasses or other headwear.

The look and fit of the Ultra Open is unlike any other earphone. The slit on the top projects noise canceling sound and reduces noise leakage from the earphones.

Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

The battery cylinder is located behind the ear and connected via a flexible silicone spring to an L-shaped plastic speaker arm, which together hold the earbuds in place around the side of the ear.

The fit is very unique and takes a little practice to get it right, but once it’s in place it’s light and comfortable. I was sure it would fall if I ran, but no matter how much I sweated or how much I shook my head, it remained firmly in place.

The earbuds are charged via metal contacts on the underside of the battery.

Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

Source: www.theguardian.com

Physicists conclude the shape factor of a proton’s Grunick gravitational force

Posted on February 16, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Protons are one of the main building blocks of all visible matter in the universe. Its unique properties include charge, mass, and spin. These properties emerge from the complex dynamics of its basic building blocks, quarks and gluons, explained by the theory of quantum chromodynamics. The charge and spin of protons shared between quarks has been previously studied using electron scattering. One example is the high-precision measurement of the charge radius of protons. In contrast, little is known about the internal mass density of protons, which is dominated by the energy carried by gluons. In a new study, a team of physicists led by Argonne National Laboratory used a small colored dipole to probe the gravitational density of gluons through threshold photogeneration of J/ψ (J/Psi) particles.

Proton valence quarks (blue, red, green), quark and antiquark pairs, and gluons (springs). Scalar gluon activity (pink) extends beyond the charge radius (orange) surrounding the gluon energy core (yellow). Image credit: Argonne National Laboratory.

For many years, nuclear physicists have determined the size of protons by precisely measuring their charge response. This is a result of the proton's charged constituent quarks.

However, determining the size of matter by the size of its protons is a more difficult task. This is because part of the proton's mass is driven by the elusive neutral gluon, rather than by the mass or motion of charged quarks. These gluons combine themselves with quarks within the proton.

The new discovery provides a view of this mass region produced by gluon interactions.

This measurement not only reveals the mass radius resulting from the strong force, but also its confinement effect on quarks that extend far beyond the proton's charge radius.

“A key detail of the proton's structure is its size,” said lead author Dr. Zein Eddin Meziani, a physicist at Argonne National Laboratory, and his colleagues.

“The most commonly used measure of a proton's size is its charge radius, which uses electrons to measure the spherical size of the proton's charge.”

The new measurements come from the J/Ψ -007 experiment at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility.

This differs in that a small colored dipole ( ) was used to reveal the sphere size and position of the gluon mass and its range of influence on the gluon within the proton.

In the experiment, physicists used a high-energy beam of electrons to create J/Ψ particles from protons. The J/Ψ particle provides information about the distribution of gluons inside the proton.

Experimenters inserted these measurements into a theoretical model and analyzed them.

As a result, the mass radius of the gluon inside the proton was determined.

Furthermore, the area of influence of a strong force called a confinement scalar cloud, which also affects proton quarks, was also shown.

“This study paves the way for a deeper understanding of the prominent role of gluons in imparting gravitational mass to visible matter,” the authors concluded.

Their paper It was published in the magazine Nature.

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B. Duran other. 2023. Determination of the Grunick gravitational shape factor of protons. Nature 615, 813-816; doi: 10.1038/s41586-023-05730-4

Source: www.sci.news

Small duck-billed dinosaur species found in Morocco for the first time

Posted on February 16, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

A new genus and species of dwarf lambeosaurid hadrosauridae have been discovered in Moroccan rocks dating back to the late Cretaceous period, approximately 68 million years ago.

Late Maastrichtian dinosaurs from Morocco's latest Cretaceous phosphates.Image credit: Longrich other., doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-53447-9.

“Dalatypus dinosaurs, or hadrosaurs, were highly successful herbivores that caused large-scale radioactivity in the Late Cretaceous,” said paleontologists from the University of Bath. Nicholas Longrich and his colleagues.

“Hadrosaurids evolved in North America during the Turonian period (94 to 90 million years ago) and then dispersed to Asia and Europe.”

“The presence of hadrosaurids in Africa is puzzling because Africa had been isolated from Laurasia by the deep ocean since the Middle Jurassic, whereas hadrosaurids evolved in the Late Cretaceous.”

“The solution to this contradiction seems to be that the platypus either swam to Africa or crossed there on a raft.”

The newly described hadrosaurid species lived in Africa during the late Maastrichtian period of the Late Cretaceous period, about 68 million years ago.

named Mincaria Batathis dinosaur was relatively small, measuring about 3.5 meters (11.5 ft) in length.

This species comes from the phosphate mines of Sidi Chennan, Morocco, the same locality where the hadrosaur family Lambeosaurus was produced. Ajnavia Odysseusand based on a partial skull.

belongs to Areni Saulinia clade of lambeosaurid hadrosaurids endemic to Europe and North Africa.

“Mincaria Bata is distinguished from Ajnavia Odysseus “This is due to the shape of the maxilla, which has a more ventrally located zygomatic surface, a curved external ridge, a more sinusoidal tooth row, and an array of neurovascular foramina,” the paleontologists said.

“But the new species is very similar. Ajnavia Odysseus Other arenisaurines also have their small size and many anatomical features. ”

skull elements Mincaria Bata. Scale bar – 5 cm.Image credit: Longrich other., doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-53447-9.

Researchers also unearthed the fossilized remains of two other hadrosaurids at the Sidi Daoui and Mura Larak sites.

“The humerus and femur belong to a larger hadrosaurid, measuring 6 meters (20 feet) long, suggesting that at least three species coexisted,” the researchers said.

Research team's analysis suggests a group of hadrosaurs lambeosauridae It first diversified in Asia and later dispersed to North America.

Dispersal from Asia to Europe was followed by dispersal to North Africa. Multiple dispersals from Europe to Africa appear to be more parsimonious than a single dispersal, but are not impossible, especially considering its unique morphology. Ajnavia Odysseus and Mincaria Bata.

“Hadrosaurid diversity in Europe and Africa suggests a dispersal radiation, with lambeosaurs taking advantage of low ornithischian diversity to diversify,” the scientists said. Stated.

“However, African lambeosaurs are smaller than their North American and Asian counterparts, probably due to competition with titanosaurs.”

“The lack of known hadrosaurids from eastern Africa suggests that Moroccan hadrosaurids are part of a distinct island fauna and may represent an island radiation.”

of findings appear in the diary scientific report.

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NR Long Rich other. 2024. A new small duck-billed dinosaur (hadrosauridae: Lambeosauridae) discovered from Morocco and the diversity of dinosaurs from the late Maastrichtian in North Africa. science officer 14, 3665; doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-53447-9

Source: www.sci.news

Webb discovers evidence of hydrothermal activity within Ellis and Makemake

Posted on February 16, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Methane ice of unknown origin exists on the surfaces of the icy dwarf planets Eris and Makemake. Analysis of data from the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope shows that Ellis and Makemake have rocky cores that have undergone significant radiation heating and are still hot/hot enough to produce methane. There is a possibility.

grain other. Researchers have discovered evidence of hydrothermal or metamorphic activity deep within the icy dwarf planets Eris and Makemake. Image courtesy of Southwest Research Institute.

“We're seeing some interesting signs of a hot period in a cool place,” said Dr. Christopher Grein, a planetary researcher at the Southwest Research Institute.

“I approached this project thinking that because the cold surfaces of large Kuiper Belt Objects (KBOs) can store volatile materials like methane, they should have ancient surfaces with material inherited from the proto-solar nebula. I participated.”

“Instead, Webb had a surprise for us! We found evidence of a thermal process producing methane from inside Ellis and Makemake.”

Dr. Grein and his colleagues used the Webb to observe isotope molecules on the surfaces of Ellis and Makemake for the first time.

These so-called isotopologues are molecules containing atoms with different numbers of neutrons. These provide data that helps us understand the evolution of planets.

The astronomers measured the composition of the dwarf planet's surface, specifically the ratio of deuterium (deuterium, D) to hydrogen (H) in methane.

Deuterium is thought to have formed in the Big Bang, and hydrogen is the most abundant atomic nucleus in the universe.

The D/H ratio of planetary bodies provides information about the origin, geological history, and formation routes of hydrogen-containing compounds.

“The moderate D/H ratio observed by Mr. Webb discredits the existence of primordial methane on the ancient Earth's surface. The D/H ratio of primordial methane would be much higher,” Dr. Grein said. I did.

“Instead, the D/H ratio indicates the geochemical origin of the methane produced deep inside. The D/H ratio is like a window. You can use it to look into the subsurface.”

“Our data suggest that temperatures in the cores of these world rocks could increase and methane could be cooked.”

“Nitrogen molecule (N₂) may be generated as well, and this has also been confirmed in Eris. ”

“Hot cores may also indicate a potential source of liquid water beneath the surface of the ice.”

“If Eris and Makemake harbored, or perhaps still harbor, warm or hot geochemistry in their rocky cores, then the surface of these planets is probably geologically recent, due to cryogenic volcanic activity. could be supplied with methane,” said Dr. Will Grundy. Astronomer at Lowell Observatory.

“We discovered the carbon isotope ratio (¹³C/¹²C) suggests that the surface has been resurfaced relatively recently. ”

“Following NASA's New Horizons flyby of the Pluto system, and with this discovery, the Kuiper Belt turns out to be much more alive than we imagined in terms of hosting a dynamic world.” said Dr. Grein.

“It's not too early to start thinking about sending spacecraft to fly close to other of these objects to put Webb's data into geological context. I'm sure we'll see the surprises that lie ahead. I think you’ll be surprised!”

of study It was published in the magazine Icarus.

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Christopher R. Grein other. 2024. Moderate D/H ratios in the Ellis and Makemake methane ices indicate evidence of hydrothermal or metamorphic processes in the interior: a geochemical analysis. Icarus 412: 115999; doi: 10.1016/j.icarus.2024.115999

Source: www.sci.news

Google to reveal oil and gas methane leak detected from space

Posted on February 16, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Google and the Environmental Defense Fund on Wednesday announced a partnership to uncover the sources of climate-warming emissions from oil and gas operations that will be detected from space by a new satellite.

MethaneSAT is scheduled to launch next month and is one of several satellites being deployed to monitor methane emissions around the world to identify the main sources of the invisible but powerful greenhouse gas. There is one. The partnership is led by EDF, the New Zealand Space Agency, Harvard University and others.

Data from the satellite will be available later this year, and Google Cloud will provide the computing power to process the information.

Google also announced that it will use artificial intelligence to map oil and gas infrastructure by identifying components such as oil tanks. MethaneSAT emissions data is overlaid with Google Maps to help you understand which types of oil and gas equipment are most likely to leak.

This information will be made available through Google Earth Engine, a geospatial analytics platform, later this year. Earth Engine is free to researchers, nonprofit organizations, and news organizations.

The satellite image above shows a map of points, correctly identified as oil well pads. Google used satellite and aerial imagery to apply AI to detect infrastructure components. Well pads are shown in yellow, oil pump jacks in red, and storage tanks in blue.
Google

“For energy companies, researchers, and the public sector, it's generally helpful to predict methane emissions in the most sensitive components,” Yael Maguire, Google's vice president of geographic sustainability, said on a call with reporters. “We believe this information is extremely valuable for mitigation efforts.”

The launch comes as governments crack down on short-lived sources of greenhouse gases and more than 50 major state-owned and independent oil and gas operators, from ExxonMobil to Saudi Aramco, pledge to reduce methane leakage to near zero at the COP28 climate change summit. This was done amid a promise to reduce the number of By the end of this decade.

The United States is one of the largest emitters of methane and has proposed enforcement measures to stop leaks from oil and gas operations. A new rule by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will allow the public to report large methane leaks to federal regulators if they have access to methane detection technology.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

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